THINK Synonyms: 36 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

think

verb

ˈthiŋk

Definition of think next

as in to believe

to have as an opinion I think we should wait for someone to come help us out

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 think For Cardellini, who never thought the show would be so popular that people would be celebrating its 25th anniversary, this turn of events still feels shocking. —

Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 21 Dec. 2024 But after dropping their regular season finale, the Warriors, with a 1-9 record, thought their season was over. —

Joe Mathews, The Mercury News, 21 Dec. 2024 Privateer assists manned spacecraft, as well as the essential services that Earth relies on – think GPS and climate monitoring – by creating a data infrastructure that provides a real-time map of all the satellites and space debris surrounding Earth, all for free. —

Sophie Furley, Robb Report, 21 Dec. 2024 Luis Robert Jr is the dream, but who knows what the Sox are thinking. —

C. Trent Rosecrans, The Athletic, 10 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for think

Recent Examples of Synonyms for think

Verb

Investigators at this time believe Nguyen killed his wife and children at some point over the weekend, and then turned the firearm on himself.

Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 20 Dec. 2024
Investigators believe the 17-year-old was not shot in the garage but made his way there after he was wounded, Vainuku said.

Phil Helsel, NBC News, 20 Dec. 2024