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 No one who has listened to this episode of Dwarkesh Patel's podcast with METR research Ajeya Cotra could think so. Kelly Evans, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026 That is not the only way philosophers throughout history have thought about flowing time. Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026 Cook actually thinks that Washington should have three arches. Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026 There was severe trauma to her face that investigators think may have been caused by a gunshot wound, according to a search warrant affidavit obtained by Star-Telegram media partner WFAA-TV. Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for think
Recent Examples of Synonyms for think
Verb
  • By the time Wade was making his decision, league sources said, there was an inkling that the Sixers’ pursuit of Brown had become serious enough that those involved believed there was a legitimate chance a deal could happen.
    Tony Jones, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Perhaps some voters will decide not to vote, believing the election is a fait accompli.
    Cal Thomas, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Kuper even guessed Mannion could game plan and call a game just for rushing.
    Zach Berman, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • There is one curious exception that the paper doesn’t even guess at the cause of.
    Scott K. Johnson, ArsTechnica, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • And the remarkable part of this entire sequence is that at least two characters are actively imagining uses for the box that will compromise the experiment.
    Scott Tobias, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • One can only imagine what that iPad has looked like in the past few days.
    Thom Harris, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • If Caballero continues struggling, the Yankees have to at least consider whether Volpe can fill a utility role.
    Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • And considering power, price, and popularity, the PlayStation 5 (whether base, all-digital, or Pro) is the best option for most gamers.
    Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • And while the Lanterns are sort of wrong about the latter (more on that to follow), the jump to the former conclusion feels a tad out of the blue.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
  • For people feeling strapped by steep costs, the 60/30/10 budget can offer a more forgiving framework to follow.
    Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 7 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Think.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/think. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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