Synonym Chooser

How is the word realize distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of realize are conceive, envisage, envision, fancy, imagine, and think. While all these words mean "to form an idea of," realize stresses a grasping of the significance of what is conceived or imagined.

realized the enormity of the task ahead

When might conceive be a better fit than realize?

While the synonyms conceive and realize are close in meaning, conceive suggests the forming and bringing forth and usually developing of an idea, plan, or design.

conceived of a new marketing approach

How are the words envisage and envision related as synonyms of realize?

Both 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

Where would fancy be a reasonable alternative to realize?

The words fancy and realize are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fancy suggests an imagining often unrestrained by reality but spurred by desires.

fancied himself a super athlete

When can imagine be used instead of realize?

The words imagine and realize can be used in similar contexts, but imagine stresses a visualization.

imagine you're at the beach

When would think be a good substitute for realize?

The synonyms think and realize are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of realize Her partner didn’t realize something was wrong until the following Saturday, when the two would normally spend the weekend together, Richard Owen said. Susannah Cullinane, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2025 While some cause serious, potentially life-threatening illness, others aren’t harmful, and people don’t always realize they’re infected. Angela Haupt, Time, 18 Aug. 2025 But astrophysicists have come to realize this classical habitable zone scenario may overlook opportunities for life farther out from a star. Emma R. Hasson, Scientific American, 17 Aug. 2025 As a result, you may be left in the shade without even realizing it. Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for realize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for realize
Verb
  • The leaders who take time to discover and understand those needs will create a culture that’s conducive for sustainable success.
    Teresa Hopke, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
  • First discovered: 8:07 a.m. Aug. 19 Initial location: Orange County, Calif. Fire type: Wildfire Fire name: Lambert A new wildfire was reported today at 8:07 a.m. in Orange County, California.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The studio follow-up, 2007’s Blood Mountain, earned them a Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance.
    Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 21 Aug. 2025
  • Fifteen high schools from the Charlotte region earned spots among the top 50 in North Carolina in the newest U.S. News & World Report rankings.
    Evan Moore August 21, Charlotte Observer, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Remove personal information from your account that others can see, such as your telephone number or address. Don’t accept friend requests from strangers.
    Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 26 Aug. 2025
  • Joseph Russell, a corn and soybean farmer from Muncie, has seen these effects firsthand.
    Lluvia Gaucin, IndyStar, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • From Anchorage Digital to BitGo and Morgan Stanley, a growing cast of financial firms are reaping big fees riding the tidal wave of corporate bitcoin buying.
    Julie Goldenberg, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Between lower inflation, massive investments, and historic tax cuts, all Americans are reaping the benefits of the Trump Economy—and the Golden Age has just begun.
    James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • DiLoreto cut his proverbial coaching teeth learning under longtime Everett coach John DiBiaso, who is now leading Catholic Memorial to unforeseen heights.
    Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Emil Michael, the under secretary of Defense for research and engineering, said Russia’s more than three-year invasion of Ukraine has shown the new trajectory of warfare, one that the U.S. and the rest of the world is learning from.
    Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 16 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Through this partnership, PSG Academy USA coaches, parents and players will gain free access to Rematch’s suite of tools designed to capture and share highlights instantly.
    Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Georgia was the only state where Democrats outperformed Biden's 2020 total with young voters, gaining by 7 percent with voters under 30, according to NPR.
    Alex J. Rouhandeh, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • But hearing about what her family lived through during the Second World War and the Cultural Revolution for the first time was transformative—Chinese history struck her as the stuff of epic storytelling.
    Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
  • When employees see their feedback is heard and reflected in decisions, trust grows—and so does participation.
    Aaron Edgell, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Carp out, cash in An effort to reduce the number of grass carp in Bella Vista lakes comes with a chance to win a monthly $100 prize.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Whoever had the most progress on the show won $250,000.
    Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 18 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Realize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/realize. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on realize

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