Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

realize

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of realize

1 to come to an awareness of
  • I just realized that I can't go out to dinner tonight because I'm supposed to babysit for our neighbor
Synonyms of realize

ascertain, catch on (to), discover, find out, get on (to), hear, learn, see, wise (up)
Words Related to realize

hit (on or upon), tumble (to)

descry, detect, encounter, espy, see, spot

calculate, dope (out), figure out, find, puzzle (out)

discern, mind, note, observe, perceive

divine
Phrases Synonymous with realize

get wind of
Near Antonyms of realize

miss, overlook

disregard, ignore

forget, unlearn

blanket, blot out, cloak, conceal, cover, curtain, enshroud, hide, mask, occult, screen, shroud, veil
2 to receive as return for effort
  • if you deposit your paycheck in a savings account, you'll realize a little interest on it
Synonyms of realize

acquire, attain, bag, bring in, capture, carry, come by, draw, earn, gain, garner, get, knock down, land, make, obtain, procure, pull down, reap, secure, win
Words Related to realize

clear, gross, net

accomplish, achieve, notch (up), score

accumulate, amass, draw, rack up

catch, pick up

annex, occupy, take over

reacquire, reattain, recapture, regain, remake
Near Antonyms of realize

accord, give, grant, pay

give up, hand over, part (with), relinquish, surrender, yield
Antonyms of realize

forfeit, lose

Synonym Discussion of realize

think, conceive, imagine, fancy, realize, envisage, envision mean to form an idea of. think implies the entrance of an idea into one's mind with or without deliberate consideration or reflection.
    • I just thought of a good joke
conceive suggests the forming and bringing forth and usually developing of an idea, plan, or design.
    • conceived of a new marketing approach
imagine stresses a visualization.
    • imagine you're at the beach
fancy suggests an imagining often unrestrained by reality but spurred by desires.
    • fancied himself a super athlete
realize stresses a grasping of the significance of what is conceived or imagined.
    • realized the enormity of the task ahead
envisage and envision imply a conceiving or imagining that is especially clear or detailed.
    • envisaged a totally computerized operation
    • envisioned a cure for the disease

Learn More about realize

  1. Dictionary: Definition of realize Spanish Central: Translation of realize Nglish: Translation of realize for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of realize for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up realize? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

hapless

Listen to the pronounciation of hapless

having no luck

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. condemn House Dems vote against Trump tweets

  2. gerrymander, gerrymandering Supreme Court oks extreme redistricting

  3. concentration camp Debate over detentions drives searches

SEE ALL
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games