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 When thinking about Donald Trump’s policies over his first six months in office, immigration and tariffs are the headliners. Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 12 Aug. 2025 The students would read the plans for the day, write a positive affirmation, think and then had time to discuss with each other for three minutes before class began. Charlotte Observer, 12 Aug. 2025 When thinking about Sterling Sharpe, one of the first people that comes to LeRoy Butler’s mind is the legendary bodybuilder Lee Haney. Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 31 July 2025 Dougal is all brawn, and likes to take action before thinking. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 31 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for think
Recent Examples of Synonyms for think
Verb
  • Public records date the property to 1900, but it is believed to have been originally constructed in the 1840s, offering a rare glimpse into the city’s early residential fabric, writes Brendel Clark.
    Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 9 Aug. 2025
  • Farris believes Milwaukee's police pursuit policy is too loose.
    Jack Albright, jsonline.com, 9 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • More and more people keep telling me to watch Foundation so guess what?
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Only one-quarter correctly guessed the average annual benefit, which falls between $20,000 and $30,000.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Back then, Knight could have never imagined what was ahead of her, including last year’s trip to the Dominican Republic and this year’s trip to Brazil.
    Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Israelis and Palestinians might uncover novel ways to talk, and imagine new modes of living together.
    Hussein Agha, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Please consider supporting local journalism and getting unlimited digital access.
    Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 23 Aug. 2025
  • Still, The Athletic reported in early August that the club was not considering a Plan B.
    Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • And when parents feel confident, connected, and calm, their children are far more likely to thrive.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2025
  • Despite the first day buzz, Chicago Public Schools opened its school doors amid a time of serious financial uncertainty, felt most by the parents and community interacting with the district every day.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Think.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/think. Accessed 25 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on think

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