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 People think Google is world-class at innovation. Tim Brinkhof, Big Think, 15 Sep. 2025 McCormick says the growth reflects a shift in how property owners think about risk. Sixteen Ramos, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025 The Dolphins hardly targeted veteran cornerback Xavien Howard, who was playing in his first NFL game in over a year, in Week 1, but on Sunday, the Broncos clearly thought Howard was a weak link. The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025 About three are thought to have been shot down in operations backed by other NATO countries. Robert Birsel shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for think
Recent Examples of Synonyms for think
Verb
  • Lerner believes that without smarter management, enterprises will face spiraling bills and strained infrastructure.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The governor said that the suspect is believed to have acted alone.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Bot gets 1 point for guessing in three and 1 for beating me, so 2 points x2 = 4.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Throughout the early, character-developing scenes, the filmmaker throws in nightmarish visual and aural flourishes, leaving us guessing as to their meaning.
    Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Looking Down On Earth From Orbit After nearly a year in orbit, Marshburn has gained a perspective few of us can imagine.
    Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • In Bezos’ imagined future, Earth is reserved for living and vacationing, perhaps preserved indefinitely as a national park.
    Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Technical reliability is a make-or-break factor when considering industrial integration.
    Peter Bendor-Samuel, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The will also states that priority should be given to luxury giant LVMH, L'Oreal, EssilorLuxottica or other groups, Reuters reported, adding that heirs should consider other fashion and luxury companies with which Armani's company has commercial ties for a sale.
    Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • After his low-effort performance, anchored by a gimmick that made the show feel like a telethon, viewers might be asking themselves the same thing.
    Judy Berman, Time, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Even moments meant to feel spontaneous are staged.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Think.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/think. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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