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 The musician David Byrne thinks that New York bikers should learn better street etiquette. Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2025 These traditional tacos are made with meat from the head of the cow (think beef cheeks). Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 24 Aug. 2025 Still think a house in your Amazon cart sounds far-fetched? Toni Sutton, People.com, 24 Aug. 2025 Not bad for a guy who left his manager thinking an early shower might be in order. Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for think
Recent Examples of Synonyms for think
Verb
  • The defense, meanwhile, believes the law is on the parents' side.
    Tresa Baldas, Freep.com, 24 Aug. 2025
  • The cause of the fire is believed to be of natural origin.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 23 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • More and more people keep telling me to watch Foundation so guess what?
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Only one-quarter correctly guessed the average annual benefit, which falls between $20,000 and $30,000.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Back then, Knight could have never imagined what was ahead of her, including last year’s trip to the Dominican Republic and this year’s trip to Brazil.
    Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Israelis and Palestinians might uncover novel ways to talk, and imagine new modes of living together.
    Hussein Agha, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Please consider supporting local journalism and getting unlimited digital access.
    Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 23 Aug. 2025
  • Many of the Red Line improvements the agency is considering either fall within the boundaries of the current RPM TIF or in districts nearby where money could be easily transferred.
    A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Even then, the timing felt too late to countenance replacing him, considering the crippling UEFA financial sanctions they were faced with and the keen fact that some potential targets had already moved elsewhere.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2025
  • By the time September rolls around, many professionals understandably feel drained.
    Amanda Miller Littlejohn, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Think.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/think. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on think

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