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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
Chara thought nothing of cracking Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci or Brad Marchand in the back with a cross-check during net-front sessions. Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 1 May 2026 For whatever reason, upon further inspection, there’s a feeling that maybe the 49ers didn’t reach as much as everyone thought at first glance. Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
Noun
Other Catholic thinkers, though, worry this might be too sanguine, and hope the Church will take a stronger stand against AI. Elias Wachtel, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2026 But Snead and McVey aren’t conventional thinkers. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for think
Recent Examples of Synonyms for think
Noun
  • Think space-saving packing solutions, genius tech that keeps your devices alive when outlets are scarce, and comfort items that make economy feel a little more bearable.
    Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2026
  • Then there’s Reid, who is understood to be an offensive genius and has become the fourth-winningest coach in NFL history in large part because of his ability to adapt … But whose offense increasingly has felt somewhere between stale and predictable.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 2 May 2026
Noun
  • Carly loves playing hostess, and designs interiors above all with socializing in mind—the conversation pit is one of her favorite midcentury tropes.
    Olivia Kan-Sperling, Artforum, 2 May 2026
  • Andrillon warned against trying to harness the sleeping mind in the service of the waking world.
    Shayla Love, New Yorker, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • The books also followed Harry on his mission to stop Lord Voldemort, a dark wizard who killed his parents and wants to rule both the wizard and Muggle (non-magical) world.
    Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 1 May 2026
  • Sure, young wizard Harry Potter and his pals, Hermione and Ron, can use their magical skills to defeat the forces of evil.
    Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Hall had a 1% chance of survival when he was born four months premature at just 23 weeks gestation, born without a heartbeat and suffering from a brain bleed.
    Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Hernandez, whose death was ruled a suicide, was later determined to have had CTE and early brain atrophy.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Thomas says that your sector of communications, intellect and ideas will be activated now.
    Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Blankfein isn’t the only business leader who believes that working hard is more powerful than natural intellect or pricey diplomas.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The absence of fear in Cunningham’s psyche is what powers him.
    Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Simple, shocking, darkly beautiful imagery and an extreme performance dramatize the psyche of a man deeply disappointed with his childhood, who seeks to recreate it by any means possible.
    William Earl, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The reason, an official with knowledge of the meeting plans said, is because King Charles is a head of state, rather than a head of government.
    Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Matt Small, who is in his first season as Lincoln-Way Central’s head coach, was an assistant at Homewood-Flossmoor.
    Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Charles is expected to talk about the defense, intelligence and security ties the countries have shared for decades.
    Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Belarus’ presidential press service said the negotiations had involved intelligence services from seven countries.
    Claudia Ciobanu, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Think.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/think. Accessed 5 May. 2026.

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