Definition of thinknext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word think distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of think are conceive, envisage, envision, fancy, imagine, and realize. While all these words 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

When is it sensible to use conceive instead of think?

Although the words conceive and think have much in common, conceive suggests the forming and bringing forth and usually developing of an idea, plan, or design.

conceived of a new marketing approach

How do envisage and envision relate to one another, in the sense of think?

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

When is fancy a more appropriate choice than think?

The synonyms fancy and think are sometimes interchangeable, but fancy suggests an imagining often unrestrained by reality but spurred by desires.

fancied himself a super athlete

When might imagine be a better fit than think?

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

imagine you're at the beach

When can realize be used instead of think?

In some situations, the words realize and think are roughly equivalent. However, realize stresses a grasping of the significance of what is conceived or imagined.

realized the enormity of the task ahead

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 think Does your special someone think a romantic date requires meat? Usa Today Network, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026 The team thinks that even a relatively small catalog of black hole mergers could help create a gravitational wave background map. Robert Lea, Space.com, 13 Feb. 2026 Before February 2022, some observers thought Russia was one of the world’s premier military powers—an assessment that Ukraine quickly upended. Alan Cullison, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026 Da Cunha Lewin is inclined to agree with the English writer Geoff Dyer, who thinks that writer’s block is a myth. Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for think
Recent Examples of Synonyms for think
Verb
  • Like many others in his community, Awad believes the Israeli government intentionally neglects crime perpetrated against Palestinian citizens.
    Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Last Thursday, the league issued a $500,000 fine to the Utah Jazz and a $100,000 penalty to the Indiana Pacers for sitting healthy players, believing their apparent tanking actions compromised the league's competitive integrity.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Amazon’s February deals include Apple AirTags to keep tabs on your luggage, because guessing where your bag landed is not the vibe.
    Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2026
  • The rest of the judges floundered with Rita Ora guessing Selma Blair, Ken Jeong putting his money on Christina Applegate and Robin Thicke going with Danielle Fishel.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Her bodice-ripping, visually sumptuous version, in theaters Friday, incorporates some essential literary elements, but also imagines what’s in between the lines of Brontë’s writing, including sultry moments between the protagonists.
    Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
  • From the kitchen comes an equally elegant menu of classics – think gorgeous local steaks, terrines and roasted Amish chicken plated with cockles – imagined with creativity and a deep understanding of European technique seen through a Tennessee lens.
    USA TODAY NETWORK, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • To strengthen the economy, Texas must rein in local spending, increase transparency, expand audits of cities, counties, and universities, and consider local spending caps so taxpayers aren’t saddled with unsustainable obligations.
    Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Though she initially was considered missing, the urgency to quickly find Guthrie pulsed through the first days of media coverage because of her heart condition.
    Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • And within the company it’s been business as usual, with few signs that anyone was feeling the heat.
    semafor.com, semafor.com, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Everybody buys groceries, and everyone has felt the increase in costs over the last few years.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Think.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/think. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.

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