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 If one thought about how their movies would be received one would never make movies. Marlow Stern, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026 Some great insights into what the club is thinking behind the scenes. Paul Taylor, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Read more, listen to more, take in more and thinking should improve accordingly. Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Earlier this year, with Brooks’ centennial approaching, the Cinematheque began thinking about how to mark the milestone. Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for think
Recent Examples of Synonyms for think
Verb
  • New figures show nearly two-thirds believe AI heightens the need for human discussion, a figure that jumps to 82% for critical decisions.
    Alison Coleman, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Only Brentford’s Michael Kayode (164) sent more long throws into the penalty area than Ampadu (135) last season, but Brenden Aaronson believes his captain is looking even more dangerous.
    Adam Crafton, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Don’t Spread the Experience Evenly Leaders don’t have to guess which in-store benefits matter most.
    Ayşe Çetinel, Harvard Business Review, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Resist the urge to second guess every choice in the first few months.
    Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The barrel had been punctured several times and dumped far offshore, Spencer said, but whoever discarded the remains likely never imagined the reservoir’s shoreline would one day retract hundreds of feet.
    Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • On the other hand, severe inflation could produce the same nominal milestone while bitcoin purchased far less than enthusiasts imagine.
    Dave Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Women considering enlistment are generally more likely to ask practical questions about pregnancy policies, hygiene and whether barracks were coed, recruiters and women currently serving explained.
    Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • At least two San Francisco home listings seen by CNN this spring said the sellers would consider accepting shares of OpenAI or Anthropic as payment.
    Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Chandler felt those memories for the series that turns 20 this fall.
    Matt Minton, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Andrew Chen, the co-founder of clothing brand 3sixteen, felt similarly.
    T.M. Brown, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Think.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/think. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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