conceive

Synonym Chooser

How is the word conceive distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of conceive are envisage, envision, fancy, imagine, realize, and think. While all these words mean "to form an idea of," 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 conceive?

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 could fancy be used to replace conceive?

Although the words fancy and conceive have much in common, fancy suggests an imagining often unrestrained by reality but spurred by desires.

fancied himself a super athlete

In what contexts can imagine take the place of conceive?

While in some cases nearly identical to conceive, imagine stresses a visualization.

imagine you're at the beach

When would realize be a good substitute for conceive?

The synonyms realize and conceive are sometimes interchangeable, but realize stresses a grasping of the significance of what is conceived or imagined.

realized the enormity of the task ahead

When can think be used instead of conceive?

In some situations, the words think and conceive are roughly equivalent. However, 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

Examples 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 conceive Doctor Sleep filmmaker Flanagan is reportedly conceiving Clayface as a horror-thriller-tragedy. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 13 Dec. 2024 It was initially conceived as a time of fasting and penitence, not unlike Lent, during which observant Christians prepared themselves to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas. Deborah Netburn, Los Angeles Times, 30 Nov. 2024 The family film was conceived as a Disney+ series before it was reimagined as a feature movie. Brent Lang, Variety, 29 Nov. 2024 It was first conceived as a Disney+ streaming series, then rejiggered as a conventional, old-school theatrical feature, because no matter how hard major studios try to phase out theatrical in favor of their ever-ravenous streaming platforms, the right movie in theaters can still make a bundle. Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 26 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for conceive 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conceive
Verb
  • Hear 21-year-old Taylor Swift get 'overwhelmed' imagining life in her 30s in new audio from 60 Minutes in 2011 Champagne problems Friendship bracelets weren't the only tradition to pop up again on the Eras Tour.
    Lauren Huff, EW.com, 7 Dec. 2024
  • None of us could imagine replacing our beloved coffee with something that tasted like dirt.
    Robert Johnson, Rolling Stone, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • For occasional or seasonal consumption or lower levels of contamination, more research is needed to understand how lead in spices would affect lead levels in the blood.
    Katarzyna Kordas, Discover Magazine, 7 Dec. 2024
  • Further clinical trials are needed to better understand and assess the potential mechanisms at work.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 7 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Luis Robert Jr is the dream, but who knows what the Sox are thinking.
    C. Trent Rosecrans, The Athletic, 10 Dec. 2024
  • Apple iPhone users have received several spyware warnings over the last year, but it was previously thought that the issue was incredibly targeted and rare.
    Kate O'Flaherty, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Ananda’s Take on the Future of Visual Search Ananda envisions a future in which AI gives people the tools to turn new ideas into reality by making visual search faster and more intuitive.
    Tom D’Agustino, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
  • Instead, the duo envisioned diversifying their revenue streams by acquiring a complementary business.
    Lien De Pau, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The Eagles know their offense can’t devolve into a frustrating mess for a second straight season.
    Brooks Kubena, The Athletic, 9 Dec. 2024
  • Keselowski's entry into RFK Racing in 2021 marked a turning point for the team, formerly known as Roush Fenway Racing.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Police located the car at the intersection of Fulton Street and Washington Avenue, and the car took off once the driver, a woman believed to be the mother of the baby, noticed a police car.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 9 Dec. 2024
  • The suspect caught a cab around 7 a.m. on the Upper West Side and was seen on video at an uptown bus station about 45 minutes later, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said, adding police believe the suspect had left the city.
    John Bacon, USA TODAY, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • This legacy in racing has seen the team achieve strong successes, including their first win in 2000 with Robbie Buhl, and a history of fielding prominent drivers such as Al Unser Jr., Sarah Fisher, and Ryan Hunter-Reay.
    Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
  • On December 5, the 29-year-old model was seen in a dressed down fall uniform that was, well, both in and out of my price range.
    Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Semantic Understanding These technologies can comprehend the semantic meaning of conversations, not just individual words.
    Vinay Goel, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
  • However, the beings were unable to comprehend human emotions like love, adding a philosophical layer to the narrative.
    Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 10 Dec. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Conceive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conceive. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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