Definition of envisagenext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word envisage distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of envisage are conceive, envision, fancy, imagine, realize, and think. While all these words mean "to form an idea of," 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 conceive a more appropriate choice than envisage?

The synonyms conceive and envisage are sometimes interchangeable, but conceive suggests the forming and bringing forth and usually developing of an idea, plan, or design.

conceived of a new marketing approach

In what contexts can fancy take the place of envisage?

The words fancy and envisage can be used in similar contexts, 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 envisage?

While the synonyms imagine and envisage are close in meaning, imagine stresses a visualization.

imagine you're at the beach

When could realize be used to replace envisage?

The meanings of realize and envisage 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 envisage?

Although the words think and envisage have much in common, 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 envisage Riyadh is targeting $100 billion in annual FDI by 2030 to help finance and accelerate the economic transformation envisaged under Vision 2030. — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026 What Jefferson envisaged, in contrast, was an unyielding north-south grid of continental proportions. — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026 The building projects envisaged by the tech industry are on a truly staggering scale. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 27 Sep. 2026 The transitional government's dissolution was envisaged as part of the road map to elections. — ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for envisage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for envisage
Verb
  • Beirut City Pop, the latest compilation by archival label Habibi Funk, tells the story of the artists who dared to imagine a life beyond war.
    — Shy Clara Thompson, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026
  • For one thing, imagine an election campaign fought on populist policies such as raising welfare grants and public sector hiring sprees.
    — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Initially, Fedorets envisions cubesat tech demo missions, which would pave the way for mid-sized missions that could collect samples.
    — Andrew Jones, Space.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • But his exemplary work both in the pass and run game Sunday made the notion of a future with Willis easier to envision.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The attacks, which saw 1,195 people killed and 251 taken into Gaza as hostages, triggered a major security crisis that led to three years of war on multiple fronts.
    — Yarden Segev, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The offense had a healthy-enough balance with the run game (more on that in a bit) to involve multiple pass-catchers, and the trio of leading receivers saw the immediate benefits.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Envisage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/envisage. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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