imagine

verb

i-ˈma-jən How to pronounce imagine (audio)
Definition of imaginenext
1
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
2
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
3
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 But imagine doing that with something the size of an arena while also accommodating thousands of concertgoers and sports fans. — Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 3 Sep. 2026 Through the eyes of a new generation searching for its place, Burgundy opens the doors to a world rarely seen from within, and then imagines its way further inside. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2026 The yacht is imagined with four 1,000 hp Volvo Penta engines that could enable a cruising speed of 27 knots and a top speed of 32 knots, according to the studio. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 1 Sep. 2026 The musical imagines Seurat’s creation of the famed painting and his relationship with his lover and muse, Dot, before jumping forward a century in its second act. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for imagine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imagine
  1. envision
  2. think
  3. guess
  4. see
  5. believe
  6. assume
  7. picture
  8. consider
Verb
  • Even in the midst of this global struggle, Roosevelt contemplated the future and envisioned the critical role that a new United Nations might play.
    — John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
  • But her team said DOLLYFEST will be the official celebration Parton herself envisioned, not a traditional memorial.
    — Bryan West, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of envision
Verb
  • The work could also help researchers study other materials where strong electron interactions are thought to play a role, including high-temperature superconductors.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
  • There have been some limited cases in which noncitizens have been criminally charged for voting or attempting to vote, including in Michigan, but it's been rare and not thought to have altered the outcome of any elections.
    — Todd Spangler, Freep.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of think
Verb
  • Tom Even non-football fans can probably guess who this one is about.
    — Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Instead of guessing the right prompt keywords, a user can simply instruct the model to track the camera left, soften the lighting or maintain a character's expression across different scenes.
    — Coco Mao, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of guess
Verb
  • Barclays projects that palm oil, coconut oil, and rubber could rise by 30% to 40% over the next 18 months, coffee could see an additional 20% to 30% surge, and rice could increase by a further 10% to 20%.
    — , CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Authorities initially said Saylor’s mother reported that her child had wandered off from a rental home in Hagley Estates in Pawleys Island and was last seen wearing her swimsuit.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of see
Verb
  • Flowers, who has been sidelined from practice in recent days, is believed to be dealing with a minor hamstring injury.
    — Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Lamas claimed that Jackie believed that there was a link between her husband’s death and that of Marilyn Monroe, who died in 1962.
    — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of believe
Verb
  • Goldman’s model assumes SMIC will add between 30,000 and 50,000 advanced-node wafers in monthly capacity each year from 2026 through 2031.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Golden Tempo, meanwhile, assumed his position near the back of the field as his deep closing style has delivered huge glory in the past.
    — Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of assume
Verb
  • Above, the actor is pictured in a scene from 1978’s Days Of Heaven,’ alongside Brooke Adams.
    — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026
  • After years spent teasing a legally impossible third term, Trump is now describing life after January 2029, picturing himself at home as a successor claims credit.
    — Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of picture
Verb
  • After Sunday’s game, manager John Schneider indicated the club was still considering all options.
    — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Asked about the cause of the capsize, Erhurman noted the storm, but said the weather was considered suitable for travel.
    — Reuters, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of consider

Browse Nearby Words

imaginativeness
imagine
imagined
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Imagine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imagine. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on imagine

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about imagine

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