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 The Life of a Showgirl, produced and written by the singer herself along with hitmakers Max Martin and Shellback, was thought to be a return to some of her most standard pop albums, like 1989, but instead leaned more towards a mix of Evermore and Midnights. Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2025 Princess Reema and Alfouti have spent decades thinking about what wellness means in Saudi Arabia. Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2025 What manner of person would think of that? Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025 That said, JPMorgan thinks investors should also protect themselves given the uncertainty that persists. Fred Imbert, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for think
Recent Examples of Synonyms for think
Verb
  • But even working with young elite athletes, Wolff believes everyone should take it a little easier on the generation.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Metcalf, however, believes that her character is only partially to blame for the serial killer's actions.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Frankly, there had been speculation for years, entire Reddit threads guessing about Hemsley’s sexuality.
    Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Gosh, guess all that talk about Antifa and George Soros money is a myth.
    Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • That said, hard to imagine Burks would be ready to play so quickly.
    Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Then, imagine those color-changing mountains reflected in the briny water of desert salt flats, a mirage that ripples when local flamingos fly by in twos and threes.
    Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Wouldn’t it be considered colonial literature instead?
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 18 Oct. 2025
  • One of two vice-chairmen of the commission, the general is the third-most powerful commander of the People’s Liberation Army and has been considered a close associate of President Xi Jinping, the army’s commander-in-chief.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The shortages have impacted 911 call response times and have left officers feeling burdened and overworked, often having to sacrifice personal time to cover events and political rallies, Redford has said in previous interviews with The Charlotte Observer.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 13 Oct. 2025
  • His business is now on track for its first $100,000 year, a milestone that once felt unimaginable.
    Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Think.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/think. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

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