IMAGINE Synonyms: 92 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

imagine

verb

i-ˈma-jən

Definition of imagine next

as in to envision

to form a mental picture of she was determined to have the wedding that she had always imagined

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to think

to have as an opinion I imagine that's true, but you still have to prove it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to guess

to form an opinion from little or no evidence I imagine things will change rapidly once we begin

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Adapted from Robert Harris' novel about the papal conclave, the film imagines a series of twists in the modern-day Vatican City. —

Jack Smart, People.com, 6 Jan. 2025 For years, Freeman had been fiddling with the material, imagining and reimagining characters, revisiting childhood memories. —

Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025 Unable to imagine any contemporary actor for the role of Shelly, Coppola approached Anderson after watching the documentary Pamela, A Love Story on Netflix. —

Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025 Some people might have imagined you guys did everything at once, but from all indications, there’s a lot of work to do. —

Chris Willman, Variety, 5 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for imagine

Recent Examples of Synonyms for imagine

Verb

Shazia envisions a future where healthcare providers globally adopt KARAMeD to deliver consultations through their online presence, promoting equity, accessibility, and compassion in medical care.

— Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2025
Trump allies, however, previously envisioned a massive expansion of the number of political positions, jumping from roughly 4,000 currently to about 50,000.

— Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2025