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Definition of thinknext

think (about or over)

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verb (2)

think (of)

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verb (3)

think (up)

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verb (4)

thinker

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noun

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
Verb
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
Noun
Yet these thinkers remained exceptions. Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026 This was a pre-internet era, Smith noted, and searching souls were turning to books or New Age thinkers for guidance. Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for think
Recent Examples of Synonyms for think
Verb
  • Police believe the incident occurred when at least two people began shooting at each other at the festival.
    Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 7 June 2026
  • But that, believe it or not, isn't very big for here.
    John Ramos, CBS News, 7 June 2026
Verb
  • Abraham Madriz, who came on for Sequeira in the 62nd minute when the starting goalkeeper was injured, guessed the wrong way and was unable to save it.
    Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 June 2026
  • And anyone want to guess that Nicks has an invite, too?
    Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026
Verb
  • Such social conventions dictate how nature is imagined and represented in art, not the other way around.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 June 2026
  • Art is supposed to inspire, and this film did exactly that by encouraging audiences to imagine a more inclusive and collaborative future—a reflection of where American culture is headed.
    Time, Time, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • The Treasury Department will also consider using Iranian assets to support repairs for past damage, according to the source who confirmed earlier reporting from Reuters on Saturday.
    Dalia Abdelwahab, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
  • He's considered one of the planet’s most versatile watermen, with accolades that include eight-time stand-up paddle world champion, hydrofoil pioneer, and big-wave master.
    Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
Verb
  • In his almost but not quite valedictory acceptance speech, the 80-year-old Lithgow acknowledged that this Tony win, his third, comes 53 years after his first — and feels every bit as satisfying.
    Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
  • Is this what Armand feels like all the time?
    Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 8 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Think.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/think. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.

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