thought 1 of 2

thought

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verb

past tense of think

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun thought contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of thought are conception, concept, idea, impression, and notion. While all these words mean "what exists in the mind as a representation (as of something comprehended) or as a formulation (as of a plan)," thought is likely to suggest the result of reflecting, reasoning, or meditating rather than of imagining.

commit your thoughts to paper

When might concept be a better fit than thought?

The words concept and thought are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, concept may apply to the idea formed by consideration of instances of a species or genus or, more broadly, to any idea of what a thing ought to be.

a society with no concept of private property

How do conception and concept relate to one another, in the sense of thought?

Conception is often interchangeable with concept; it may stress the process of imagining or formulating rather than the result.

our changing conception of what constitutes art

When is it sensible to use idea instead of thought?

Although the words idea and thought have much in common, idea may apply to a mental image or formulation of something seen or known or imagined, to a pure abstraction, or to something assumed or vaguely sensed.

innovative ideas
my idea of paradise

When would impression be a good substitute for thought?

The synonyms impression and thought are sometimes interchangeable, but impression applies to an idea or notion resulting immediately from some stimulation of the senses.

the first impression is of soaring height

In what contexts can notion take the place of thought?

While in some cases nearly identical to thought, notion suggests an idea not much resolved by analysis or reflection and may suggest the capricious or accidental.

you have the oddest notions

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 thought
Noun
Hit PLAY on the video above to watch TVLine’s exclusive sneak peek of Hulu’s Family Guy Halloween special, then drop a comment with your thoughts below. Andy Swift, TVLine, 4 Oct. 2025 His final thoughts are of reuniting with Augusta, who greets him warmly at the top of a set of stairs. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
In 2021, Tony Ramos, who died last year, and Malcolm Swenson visited the site where Swenson thought the Sherwood pink might be. Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025 Some thought Saleh was simply playing mind games, hoping to affect the Jaguars’ operation. Mike Sando, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for thought
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thought
Noun
  • Across a little over nine years in English football, Guardiola has learned from a different culture and adapted his own ideas to keep pace with changing times.
    Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • That idea also died against business and political opposition.
    Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The recommendation will now go to the Louisville Metro Council for its consideration.
    Killian Baarlaer, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Things to Consider While Ezekiel bread is a healthy bread choice, there are some considerations to take into account for certain people.
    Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • About 20 living hostages remain captive in desperate conditions, Israeli officials say, and about 25 more are believed to have died, but their bodies have not been returned to their families.
    Susan Page, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
  • The percentage tells the public how much of the fire perimeter is believed to not go beyond the control lines.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The concept is raising concerns that the bloc is still too slow in improving its deterrence options, however.
    Silvia Amaro, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Engineers from Polytechnique Montréal have unveiled a new parachute concept based on kirigami, the Japanese art of folding and cutting.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • By denying a rehearing, the case returns to Allf for further deliberations.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Foreign policy might be central to the Supreme Court deliberations.
    Nora Gamez Torres, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • There was a camp nearby and Bob guessed that its occupants were trout fishermen.
    Worth Matthewson, Outdoor Life, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The internet being the internet, however, some fans had correctly guessed this twist was coming after sharing Harcourt’s observation about the population’s whiteness — matched with the fact that on the main Earth, Auggie was a virulent white supremacist known as the White Dragon.
    Adam B. Vary, Variety, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Sometimes, the impression is given that Israel thinks everyone hates them so why care about winning over hearts and minds?
    Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Still, Netflix’s voluminous library seems to leave the impression among viewers like Lerner that such decisions are handed down flippantly.
    Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Henry’s two fourth-quarter fumbles figured prominently in two losses.
    Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
  • In these stories, death is often figured as an interruption, an unexpected event that occurs when characters are busy doing other things.
    Molly Ryder Granatino, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Thought.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thought. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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