think

verb

ˈthiŋk How to pronounce think (audio)
Definition of thinknext
as in to believe
to have as an opinion I think we should wait for someone to come help us out

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 By all rights, that’s exactly what Guenther should have been thinking. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 31 July 2026 Kanan has been on the same run that Marvin was on when Marvin thought that Unique took out Lou-Lou. — Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2026 Renowned climber Nirmal Purja is also thought to be among the missing. — ABC News, 31 July 2026 Americans think robots will start taking people’s jobs in the next five years — but not their jobs. — J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for think
Recent Examples of Synonyms for think
  1. believe
  2. guess
  3. imagine
  4. consider
  5. feel
Verb
  • If there was any question as to whether the front office believes this Cubs team can do damage in the postseason, their trade deadline moves should quell those thoughts.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Some believed Thomas County Central was as good or better than Class 7A Buford, the consensus national champion.
    — Jack Leo, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of believe
Verb
  • What counts the most will be the moves of the Big Player, guesses about those moves, and guesses about those guesses.
    — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026
  • That allows hackers to systematically guess those phrases and then drain crypto wallets.
    — Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of guess
Verb
  • Visitors are taken back in time to imagine how this now extinct creature — three times the size of a modern-day great white shark — used to swim right over the National Mall.
    — Amy DeLaura, The Washington Examiner, 31 July 2026
  • Advertisement Max staggers and envisions his dead wife and imagined son again before pulling himself back to his closing argument.
    — JP Mangalindan, Time, 31 July 2026
Definition of imagine
Verb
  • AstraZeneca is considering a merger with Bristol Myers Squibb that would value the combined company at roughly $400 billion, the Financial Times reported Sunday.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026
  • So when gas prices spiked after the war in Iran began, Johnson not only changed her commute but considered a second job or seeking out a roommate for her and her partner.
    — Natasha Chen, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of consider
Verb
  • That perspective may be reassuring for parents who feel conflicted about screen time.
    — Tara Duncan, AJC.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • If the partner feels disconnected from the hotel brand, the benefit may add utility while weakening the program’s positioning.
    — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of feel

Phrases Containing think

Browse Nearby Words

thingummy
think
thinkable
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Cite this Entry

“Think.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/think. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of think for Spanish Speakers

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