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 The city was still thinking about hiring Boring in 2025. Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2026 For those who thought that hunter-gatherers were lost to the pages of history, think again. Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2026 Whereas Carter thinks of her Aunt Ramona while designing her costumes, Göransson brought his experience learning guitar with his dad. Ryan Fleming, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2026 What exactly made Self think Peterson wouldn’t experience any more cramping? Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for think
Recent Examples of Synonyms for think
Verb
  • Seeing, hearing is believing With one final grunt, Walker Buehler hopped off the bullpen mound and headed toward Field 2 at the Peoria Sports Complex to throw his first live batting practice.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
  • She is believed to have been taken against her will, and officials have released footage of a masked person on her front porch from the night of her disappearance.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 22 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • When the then-prince walked up to Giuffre, Maxwell urged the prince to guess her age.
    Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
  • So if two people are vying for the same apartment and only one of them has coverage, guess who the landlord is likely to favor?
    Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • This was the right choice—the drama of the sandy shore, contrasted by the vivid blue-green of the sea, is too harmonious a pairing to imagine interrupting.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Feb. 2026
  • The aesthetic was likely imagined and brought to life by Oakley-Green herself, as her stylist Karen Clarkson has yet to credit the hair artist on her glam team.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • All the more impressive considering Stockton, who was about 175 pounds when started high school, didn’t even make varsity as a freshman.
    Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 22 Feb. 2026
  • The council will also consider longterm funding plans for the undergrounding project during its first meeting in March.
    Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Enter the backless loafer—the laidback, low effort update to a preppy classic that dominated the spring/summer runways and feels timely for warmer weather.
    Minty Mellon, Vogue, 23 Feb. 2026
  • Now feels like the right time to finally let him off the leash.
    Gregg Evans, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Think.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/think. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.

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