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

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 Whatever juju, imagined or self-made, permeating throughout the Braves’ roster over the last few weeks was exorcised Wednesday. — Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 2 July 2026 But imagine the message ESPN could send by suspending him for remarks that, by any ordinary definition, are racist. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026 Designers have already sketched their answers for WWD, imagining everything from grand couture ballgowns to more unexpected takes on the singer’s bridal era. — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 3 July 2026 The detailed sketch echoed Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, which transformed how the world imagined the deep via fiction’s most famous submarine, Captain Nemo’s Nautilus. — Bill Gourgey, Popular Science, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for imagine

Recent Examples of Synonyms for imagine

Verb

Arsenia envisions a yearlong series of programs recognizing Black architects, scientists, musicians and artists while exploring the people whose contributions helped build both Greenwood Baptist Church and the city around it.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2026
Continental Divide excursions, ghost tours, and hot springs experiences were not services the company originally envisioned, yet Roppel adds that customer demand made the opportunity clear.

— Nia Bowers, USA Today, 6 July 2026

Definition of envision

Verb

Peter, Anton and Marian Stastny, Quebec Nordiques, 1980-89 Even someone who barely knows a puck from a duck could guess Wayne Gretzky led the NHL in scoring for the 1980s.

— David J. Neal, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 June 2026
Competitive Wordle Score The Wordle Bot gets 1 point for guessing in three and 1 for beating me.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026

Definition of guess

Verb

As adult influencers dominate online fashion culture, and tweens and teens see the same content as adults, there are fewer spaces for young people to develop styles of their own.

— Sophie Lou Wilson, Vogue, 2 July 2026
Messi was trying to get a ball away from an Algerian player when he was seen digging his cleat into the back of the player’s calf.

— Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of see

Verb

One ring found Thursday was engraved with characters believed to be Bhrami script, an ancient Indian writing system.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 July 2026
In the Darnytskyi district, several multistory buildings were damaged and people were believed to be buried in the rubble.

— Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of believe

Verb

Some Cuba watchers are skeptical Rodríguez Castro could assume a leading role in the official government.

— Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Vahidi, who assumed the role after his predecessor Mohammad Pakpour was killed in US-Israeli strikes on the first day of the war, is rarely seen in public.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 5 July 2026

Definition of assume

Cite this Entry

Style

“Imagine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imagine. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of imagine

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Synonyms of imagine

verb

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