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 More than half of consumers (55 percent) have used or thought about using BNPL, and 75 percent of those plan to use it for holiday shopping this year. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026 Boyle thinks that O’Connell can play any part, pointing to his role as Amy Winehouse’s no-good boyfriend Blake Fielder-Civil as evidence. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2026 Self was asked what the current players think about the possibility of adding both Council and White to the team. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026 Textbook thinking First, let’s get the textbook stuff out of the way. — Zev Fima, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for think
Recent Examples of Synonyms for think
Verb
  • Lottie truly believes that armed with her diary and a plan for total re-invention, everything will go great and not be embarrassing at all.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Much of that sum—$250 million—comes from his contract with the Saudi Pro League’s Al Nassr, which is believed to be subsidized by commercial agreements orchestrated by the club.
    — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • With the advent of AI, virtual job fairs and the general dehumanization of hiring, guess what is making a mild comeback?
    — John M. O'Connor, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • And then, the decision that will be second guessed in San Diego for years to come, if the Padres don't complete the big comeback.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Our work re-imagines these ancient tombs as theatrical spaces, built to perpetuate a form of metaphysical human experience.
    — Jacqueline Ortoleva, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026
  • But what chance would American soldiers have against a country whose military doctrine has already imagined active resistance in populated areas, backed by citizens who could potentially provide intelligence, surveillance and other forms of support?
    — Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Large employers are considered to be sophisticated in their drug spending management.
    — Bob Herman, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
  • However, its three questions asked whether people consider the chatbot a friend, are polite to it, and miss it after a few days.
    — Pascal Vrticka, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • At the Irish Rep, director Ciarán O’Reilly has brought O’Neill’s expressionist howl back for a swift, sturdy, smaller-scale revival that now feels unnervingly on-the-pulse.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Japanese firms and their employees increasingly feel unwelcome and unsafe in China.
    — Anniek Bao,Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 5 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Think.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/think. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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