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

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 think This suggests that the Large Magellanic Cloud might have a higher concentration of ionized gas than scientists previously thought. Victoria Corless, Space.com, 11 Feb. 2025 Mino is thought to be between 2 and 3 years old and is much smaller, at about 470 pounds. Eve Chen, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025 Five years ago, CFOs were thinking—because many organizations were in a dire situation—what happens? Megan Poinski, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2025 Ariana Grande has seen how fans have been shipping her with Cynthia Erivo during the Wicked promotional cycle, to the point where some people think there’s actually something going on between the two stars in real life. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 11 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for think
Recent Examples of Synonyms for think
Verb
  • The region is located within Mare Crisium, a 300-mile-wide basin believed to have been created by early volcanic eruptions and flooded with basaltic lava more than 3 billion years ago.
    Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025
  • The Canucks, however, don’t seem to believe Pettersson prepared hard enough for this season.
    Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • And guess what: There are loads of SEC-Big 12 games under contract.
    Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2025
  • Sullivan, however, didn’t second guess his decision to play the team’s emotional leader.
    Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • If this awards season has felt draining to you, imagine what it’s felt like for the poor Oscar strategists.
    Nate Jones, Vulture, 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
  • This work to standardize calculus has since grown into the field known as analysis; Weierstrass is considered one of its founders.
    Solomon Adams, WIRED, 23 Feb. 2025
  • It is considered a serious condition and can be dangerous or life-threatening, especially to older adults, people with weak immune systems and pregnant people.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Technology advances rapidly, industries seem to shift overnight, and people, especially leaders, feel the pressure to keep up.
    Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025
  • The idea of coming back in a Jennifer Lopez movie felt right.
    Keaton Bell, Vogue, 20 Feb. 2025

Browse Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

“Think.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/think. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on think

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!