envisage

Synonym Chooser

How is the word envisage distinct from other similar verbs?

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

The synonyms conceive and envisage are sometimes interchangeable, but conceive suggests the forming and bringing forth and usually developing of an idea, plan, or design.

conceived of a new marketing approach

In what contexts can fancy take the place of envisage?

The words fancy and envisage can be used in similar contexts, 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 envisage?

While the synonyms imagine and envisage are close in meaning, imagine stresses a visualization.

imagine you're at the beach

When could realize be used to replace envisage?

The meanings of realize and envisage largely overlap; however, realize stresses a grasping of the significance of what is conceived or imagined.

realized the enormity of the task ahead

Where would think be a reasonable alternative to envisage?

Although the words think and envisage have much in common, 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

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 envisage It is envisaged that a new chief executive will eventually be a primary communicator with the fans on behalf of the ownership and help make key sporting decisions. Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025 The new, 74-section law envisages fines of $800 for first offenses and $1,500 for second offenses, followed by prison terms of up to 15 years for third offenses. Amir Vahdat and Nasser Karimi, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024 The bill envisages that the Treasury would create a program to buy 200,000 bitcoins annually for five years until the stockpile hit one million tokens. Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss and Lisa Pauline Mattackal, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024 The partners did not give details on their upcoming collaborations but said the partnership envisages multiple projects. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 8 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for envisage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for envisage
Verb
  • Currently 11th in the Western Conference, the Suns never imagined being outside of the Play-In at 27-29 with the final stretch of 24 regular-season games ahead of them.
    Shakeia Taylor, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025
  • Surprisingly optimistic as dystopian films go, the film imagines a future where those older than 75 are rounded up and sent to live in what sounds like a huge concentration camp.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 22 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • SpaceX envisions the spacecraft as being a fully reusable transportation system that can carry both humans and cargo to Earth's orbit, the moon and even Mars.
    Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025
  • One of the film's key scenes, in which Doyle violently interrogates a suspect, didn't initially meet the intensity director William Friedkin envisioned.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The Giants should see both of them in the Cactus League, and maybe they’ll be impressed.
    Grant Brisbee, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
  • The trailer above, which dropped on Wednesday, introduces you to the new couples fighting to see if their love can withstand temptation and drama, but there’s a catch.
    Gabriela Silva, TVLine, 26 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Envisage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/envisage. Accessed 8 Mar. 2025.

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