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 By all rights, that’s exactly what Guenther should have been thinking. Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 31 July 2026 Kanan has been on the same run that Marvin was on when Marvin thought that Unique took out Lou-Lou. Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2026 Renowned climber Nirmal Purja is also thought to be among the missing. ABC News, 31 July 2026 Americans think robots will start taking people’s jobs in the next five years — but not their jobs. J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for think
Recent Examples of Synonyms for think
Verb
  • Their success appears to have emboldened others to believe some form of change is possible.
    Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
  • Stahl believes conference-wide bargaining is more likely to succeed by taking the athlete-school relationship out of the equation.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 27 July 2026
Verb
  • When a student misses twice, guesses rapidly, or reveals a misconception, StarSpark can interrupt the assignment, teach the relevant concept, provide additional practice, and then return the student to the original question.
    Ray Ravaglia, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • Some of the other players guessed the palette was lip liner or foundation.
    Janey Wetzel, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026
Verb
  • Visitors are taken back in time to imagine how this now extinct creature — three times the size of a modern-day great white shark — used to swim right over the National Mall.
    Amy DeLaura, The Washington Examiner, 31 July 2026
  • Advertisement Max staggers and envisions his dead wife and imagined son again before pulling himself back to his closing argument.
    JP Mangalindan, Time, 31 July 2026
Verb
  • The politically-fraught topic is also the subject of debate in Washington and in city councils and commissioners courts across the state, where communities have considered local tax incentives.
    Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 July 2026
  • The sandwiches don’t need to be boring in order to be quick and simple — consider gyros.
    Kate Williams, AJC.com, 27 July 2026
Verb
  • For many holders, paying with Bitcoin still feels less like using money and more like selling an appreciating asset.
    Sean Lee, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • There’s a reason people often feel calmer after spending time in the water.
    Patricia Neligan, AJC.com, 27 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Think.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/think. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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