Synonyms of thought

thought 1 of 2

noun

ˈthȯt 

1

as in idea

something imagined or pictured in the mind

I just had a thought: what if we both pitched in and bought him one big present instead of two smaller presents for his birthday?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• idea
• concept
• impression
• notion
• conception
• picture
• image
• cogitation
• abstraction
• perception
• observation
• intellection
• reflection
• hunch
• theory
• guess
• assumption
• mind's eye
• premonition
• belief
• presentiment
• apprehension
• preconception
• prejudice
• surmise
• illusion
• whim
• hypothesis
• speculation
• delusion
• hallucination
• prepossession
• conjecture
• cognition
• chimera
• conviction
• vagary
• conceit
• fancy
• conclusion
• phantasm
• caprice
• freak
• supposition
• kink
• inspiration
• brain wave
• brainstorm
• brainchild

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fact
• reality
• actuality

2

as in consideration

a careful weighing of the reasons for or against something

I'll give your request some thought and then let you know what my decision is

Synonyms & Similar Words

• consideration
• deliberation
• study
• debate
• reflection
• account
• advisement
• contemplation
• hesitation
• meditation
• pondering
• introspection
• cogitation
• rumination
• indecision
• premeditation
• agonizing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disregard
• neglect
• short shrift

thought

2 of 2

verb

past tense of think

as in believed

to have as an opinion

I think we should wait for someone to come help us out

Synonyms & Similar Words

• believed
• guessed
• figured
• considered
• imagined
• felt
• deemed
• supposed
• conceived
• perceived
• judged
• assumed
• reckoned
• held
• allowed
• regarded
• esteemed
• viewed
• accepted
• presumed
• relied
• concluded
• depended
• surmised
• deduced
• trusted
• presupposed
• inferred

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• suspected
• doubted
• questioned
• rejected
• distrusted
• mistrusted
• discredited
• disbelieved

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

Recent Examples of thought

Noun

There’s no way of knowing, but the thought makes the encounter even more special. — Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

As well as addressing Paramount’s purported temper tantrum about an exodus from California, Newsom today also offered some guidance on his thoughts about the lawsuit fronted in some ways by California Attorney General Rob Bonta. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026

Verb

Gemma, founder and CEO of a growing marketing firm, thought Richard was perfect for her new VP of marketing analytics role. — Harvard Business Review, 24 Aug. 2026

There were arson attacks in 2024 in Leyton and Birmingham that were both thought to be orchestrated by Moscow. — Will Barker, TheWeek, 24 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing thought

• second thought