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 While the unified front welcoming Trump to The Hague may prioritize maintaining the NATO alliance, 23 of the 32 member countries have reached the 2% of GDP spending threshold—and experts think some will reach 5% by or before 2035. Nino Paoli, Fortune, 25 June 2025 For schools and service providers, this means thinking beyond enrollment. Botir Nasridinov, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025 But some demographers think the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown might mean these gains are short-lived. Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 13 June 2025 Keith thought his luck had run out after scratching the first two puzzles on his $500,000 Ca$hword 2nd Edition ticket. Sara Schilling, Miami Herald, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for think
Recent Examples of Synonyms for think
Verb
  • Emerging markets like the Middle East offer high growth and less competition, Zhu believes.
    Russell Flannery, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
  • Albertus believes that the world is on the threshold of a new global struggle for land.
    Michael Albertus, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • Instead of guessing or fabricating, the AI pulls directly from the current internal grievance protocol.
    Sagar Gupta, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • By creating a wider variety of scoring opportunities than any other NWSL clubs, the Wave keep both opponents and fans guessing as to what their tactics will be.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • Gerstle always tries to tease out how someone imagines using their outdoor space over the long term, and create a full design plan that incorporates each area.
    Lexi Dwyer, Architectural Digest, 23 June 2025
  • But why should God be imagined as human—heavens, dogs are nobler creatures, to say nothing of whales or oak trees—and why as a man?
    Campbell McGrath, New Yorker, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • There’s also the unique geopolitical role of Qatar to consider.
    Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • Some consider Olean to be in the upper most region of Appalachia, a Rustbelt stereotype that— since 1974, the year of the shooting, has seen its population dwindle from 18,600 to 14,000.
    Sally Ventura June 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • In the meantime, the changing guidance has left many workers feeling uneasy, with some failing to show up to job sites for fear of being arrested and subject to deportation proceedings.
    Miriam Waldvogel, The Hill, 21 June 2025
  • But when the reality of her situation sinks in, Ruth feels betrayed and flees the facility in search of something familiar.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 20 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Think.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/think. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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