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 Both of the West Coast boutiques have been conceived by Swedish design studio Halleroed, which also did Toteme’s Los Angeles flagship. Miles Socha, WWD, 17 Dec. 2024 The scale, the planning — everything was conceived to appear perfect in the image. Sofia Celeste, WWD, 26 Dec. 2024 Jason Sudeikis had conceived it as a three-season show, but things changed. Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 25 Dec. 2024 Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders that are unseen and unseeable in the world. Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for conceive 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conceive
Verb
  • Van Buren, who commissions the project and calls it the Institute, imagines a whole hilltop campus with a combination auditorium, gym, and chapel designed by his personal architect in the most advanced modern style.
    Justin Davidson, Curbed, 18 Dec. 2024
  • So imagine how Schoen and Daboll feel, with their jobs already deservedly in jeopardy if not already forfeit once this disaster season comes to an end.
    Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The scale of the devastation caused by a lack of water may likely never be fully understood, the organization warned, due to the decimation of Gaza’s health care system including disease tracking.
    Sophie Tanno, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024
  • That’s always interesting, because then you’re confronted with your own insecurities and your own inability to understand something, so you then get excited by that.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • She is thought to have walked east from the Mather Point area, possibly toward the Bright Angel Lodge or Hermits Rest, the park service said.
    Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 22 Dec. 2024
  • The holiday is thought to celebrate the sun's return and the land's rebirth as days begin to get longer after the longest night of the year.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Instead of another take on the battle royale genre, this new studio has been working on several projects, most notably a survival game called Prologue: Go Wayback!, which are envisioned as pieces of a bigger puzzle.
    Diego Argüello, Rolling Stone, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Ohio Republicans will hold 73% of seats in the Senate and 66% of seats in the House starting in 2025, so that threshold might not be the check Blessing envisioned.
    Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 22 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Don't ever be afraid to ask questions, because there's almost always somebody there who will know what the heck is going on.
    Anika Reed, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2024
  • That might sound surprising coming from someone like Glazer, a force of pure energy known for dancing her way on stage and turning NYC streets into a live set.
    Grace McCarty, SELF, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Honest behavior also means understanding your surroundings, such as how your actions are affected by what others believe and how your words are perceived by the audience.
    Drew Gerber, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
  • 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
Verb
  • Decide below, then see what readers across the globe think.
    Christian Allaire, Vogue, 22 Dec. 2024
  • The Sea Kings’ final game, a 55-19 win over Twelve Bridges of Lincoln at Saddleback College in the state bowl game, saw quarterback Ryan Rakowski pass for a state record-tying six touchdowns.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • This transparency aids employees in comprehending the benefits of the new system and proactively addresses any potential concerns by mitigating uncertainty and resistance.
    Cory McNeley, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
  • Some of the most striking counterexamples involve individuals unable to produce or comprehend language.
    Manvir Singh, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near conceive

Cite this Entry

“Conceive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conceive. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.

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