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 Can anyone imagine anything good coming out Wednesday that will make tech look better? —Jim Cramer, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2025 But imagine a world where just the opposite is possible. —Juliet Weisfogel, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2025 Well, imagine a world in which the NFL plays an 18-game regular season. —Jim Reineking, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025 Overnight sensation Just two weeks ago, the family from Cambridge, Minnesota couldn’t have imagined traveling to Kansas City to watch a women’s football game. —Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2025 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
  • Chollet, like Altman and other tech barons, envisions AI models that can solve any problem imaginable: disease, climate change, poverty, interstellar travel.
    — Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Robinson envisions the Indians having another successful season.
    — Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of envision
Verb
  • Loch Ness, the infamous freshwater lake in the Scottish Highlands, has long been thought to be the home of an indescribable creature.
    — Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2025
  • A couple years ago, fans even thought that Swift might make a cameo onthe medical drama, which is still on the air after 20 years.
    — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of think
Verb
  • After a clue brought via a time machine (what else?), guesses for Yorkie included Lori Loughlin (Thicke), Kyle Richards (Jeong), and Erika Jayne (McCarthy-Wahlberg).
    — Lauren Huff, EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Wearing a dress with a print that includes white can often leave people guessing.
    — Maria Ward, Vogue, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of guess
Verb
  • Comments James Cameron has unveiled the first official footage from Avatar: Fire and Ash, though the general public may have to wait a little longer to see it.
    — Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Organizations must move beyond seeing procurement as merely a cost center.
    — Shaz Khan, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of see
Verb
  • In China, markets fluctuated as investors responded to the White House clarifying that the level of tariffs on Chinese goods is now 145% -- not 125% as previously believed.
    — David Brennan, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Jones believes the debate will only end when lawmakers take action.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of believe
Verb
  • Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Kevin Brazile, in a tentative ruling issued on Thursday, denied CBS’ bid for a court order that would’ve temporarily blocked Sony’s efforts from assuming distribution.
    — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • And there’s usually some wiggle room, a premium being paid to reap future opportunities or a discount to assume some risk.
    — Evan Clark, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of assume
Verb
  • Eddie Murphy has nine other children, and Angel was pictured with all of their siblings in 2018 during an epic family holiday photo that went viral.
    — Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Days later, the pair were spotted in the city once again as they were pictured looking cozy during a stroll.
    — Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of picture
Verb
  • The dispute ended up before the Supreme Court, and Chief Justice John Roberts put that deadline on hold to allow the high court more time to consider the matter.
    — Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Lastly, there’s also the number of pockets to consider.
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
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 16 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on imagine

Nglish: Translation of imagine for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about imagine

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