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 Plus, our president clearly thinks a great deal of good will come from painting the reflecting pool at the center of the National Mall American Flag Blue. Arts Editor, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026 And if Suleyman is right, there’s an even bigger gap between the big, frontier AI labs and the open-source models than people think. Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 29 May 2026 McCabe’s point about frequency matters for travelers thinking about how a skillcation fits into the rest of their life. Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2026 Celebrity is thinking along similar lines. Josh Rivera, USA Today, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for think
Recent Examples of Synonyms for think
Verb
  • In a hard-to-believe stat, Monte Vista scored 17 runs with just five RBIs.
    Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2026
  • The team believes the approach could eventually support technologies like highly sensitive quantum sensors and other next-generation devices.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 May 2026
Verb
  • Some guessed Gadd's Donny became a stalker himself by the end of that Netflix miniseries.
    Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 29 May 2026
  • Competitive Wordle Score The Bot and I each get 1 point for guessing in three and zero for tying.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Verb
  • Now imagine that same ambiguity running at enterprise scale, at machine speed, across every decision your AI systems made today.
    Emma McGrattan, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
  • More than 40 years later, McDonough can’t imagine doing anything other than working a kaleidoscope of colorful stones into pieces inspired by her many passions, which range from the ballet to Liverpool’s football team to the great outdoors.
    Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 27 May 2026
Verb
  • The group considers how skilled members of Congress are at moving their agenda items forward.
    Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
  • Good ex-etiquette means considering how your decisions impact your co-parenting structure, not just your romantic relationship.
    Jann Blackstone, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026
Verb
  • My chest feels tight as my heart pumps against the elevation, though some of this sensation may simply be awe.
    Alexandra Oliva June 1, Literary Hub, 1 June 2026
  • Its religious undertones feel so at odds with a season steeped in nihilism.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 1 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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