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 Artists are understandably kind of skeptical or thinking a little bit. Max Tani, semafor.com, 14 Aug. 2026 And experts think such incidents could become increasingly common in the coming years, as exploration of the moon intensifies. Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 14 Aug. 2026 Anyone who thinks learning how to use a tabletop electric smoker is tricky hasn’t tried the innovative Pitmate™. New Atlas, 14 Aug. 2026 But Fried’s thought is far too varied and weird—closer to Manny Farber’s than Clement Greenberg’s—to permit dogmatic religiosity for long. Carlos Valladares, ARTnews.com, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for think
Recent Examples of Synonyms for think
Verb
  • But Rodriguez dropped out days later after discovering her campaign had less money in the bank than previously believed.
    Caroline Linton, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Unlike many private cask programs that offer relatively young whisky with the promise of future maturity, Casks of Distinction focuses exclusively on casks that Diageo’s master whisky makers believe have reached their optimal moment for release.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The bot loses a point for losing to me and another for guessing in five!
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Logan Wright, the author of Broken China, guesses that growth is now running at no more than 1% — and may even be zero.
    Andy Browne, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • That sentiment inspires Sony Vizha – a celebration of Tamil culture, deeply rooted in emotion and imagined for a wider world.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The right mix of true and imagined can give the simplest of humane narratives — in this case, the possibility of renewal in an epidemic of hurt — a fresher chance to touch us.
    Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The September window aligns perfectly with annual carrier upgrade cycles, prompting consumers to renew contracts and consider new iPhones.
    Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • During a californium-252 separation campaign in 2015, Delmau considered whether a different solvent extraction technique could eliminate a lengthy step in the process.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Highly adaptable professionals often feel stuck despite successful career changes, a phenomenon stemming from carrying outdated definitions of success into new roles.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • There are countless casualties in House of the Dragon but few more keenly felt than Helaena, Westeros’s sweetheart, whom Phia Saban played with a quiet and often funny dignity over the years.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Think.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/think. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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