Synonym Chooser

How is the word imagine distinct from other similar verbs?

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

imagine you're at the beach

When is it sensible to use conceive instead of imagine?

While the synonyms conceive and imagine are close in meaning, 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 imagine?

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 imagine?

The words fancy and imagine are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fancy suggests an imagining often unrestrained by reality but spurred by desires.

fancied himself a super athlete

When is realize a more appropriate choice than imagine?

The meanings of realize and imagine 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 imagine?

The words think and imagine can be used in similar contexts, but 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 imagine Can anyone imagine anything good coming out Wednesday that will make tech look better? Jim Cramer, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2025 But imagine a world where just the opposite is possible. Juliet Weisfogel, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2025 Well, imagine a world in which the NFL plays an 18-game regular season. Jim Reineking, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025 Overnight sensation Just two weeks ago, the family from Cambridge, Minnesota couldn’t have imagined traveling to Kansas City to watch a women’s football game. Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for imagine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imagine
Verb
  • Where Civil War envisioned a dark future, Warfare conjures a specific, harrowing day from Mendoza’s past.
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2025
  • Herron envisions a booming East Side that is more than a way to get to the Zoo and southern suburbs.
    Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 12 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Officially launched at the end of the year, the collection brings Louboutin’s signature design codes to life in eyewear form—think bold architectural lines, sensual curves, and unmistakable touches of red.
    Mecca Pryor, Essence, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Miami Hurricanes football coach Mario Cristobal made clear to anyone who was thinking of trying to pull off a name, image and likeness (NIL) hold out that it would not be tolerated.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Wearing a dress with a print that includes white can often leave people guessing.
    Maria Ward, Vogue, 10 Apr. 2025
  • After a clue brought via a time machine (what else?), guesses for Yorkie included Lori Loughlin (Thicke), Kyle Richards (Jeong), and Erika Jayne (McCarthy-Wahlberg).
    Lauren Huff, EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Now in their early to mid-30s, both authors have seen their stories grow into global phenomena, with millions of readers and successful film adaptations.
    Veronica Villafañe, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Aboard the Carpathia and in later accounts, survivors told horrific tales of seeing fellow passengers struggling in the water around them.
    Greg Daugherty, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Jones believes the debate will only end when lawmakers take action.
    CBS News, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • In China, markets fluctuated as investors responded to the White House clarifying that the level of tariffs on Chinese goods is now 145% -- not 125% as previously believed.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Kevin Brazile, in a tentative ruling issued on Thursday, denied CBS’ bid for a court order that would’ve temporarily blocked Sony’s efforts from assuming distribution.
    Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • And there’s usually some wiggle room, a premium being paid to reap future opportunities or a discount to assume some risk.
    Evan Clark, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • To picture this, imagine two stars orbiting each other in a flat plane, like spinning wheels.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Now picture yourself with a big eraser in your hand and imagine wiping the slate clean, eliminating distractions.
    Scott Mautz, Contributor, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The dispute ended up before the Supreme Court, and Chief Justice John Roberts put that deadline on hold to allow the high court more time to consider the matter.
    Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Lastly, there’s also the number of pockets to consider.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Imagine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imagine. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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