thought 1 of 2

noun

ˈthȯt How to pronounce thought (audio)
Definition of thoughtnext
1
as in idea
something imagined or pictured in the mind I just had a thought: what if we both pitched in and bought him one big present instead of two smaller presents for his birthday?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in consideration
a careful weighing of the reasons for or against something I'll give your request some thought and then let you know what my decision is

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

thought

2 of 2

verb

past tense of think
as in believed
to have as an opinion I think we should wait for someone to come help us out

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun thought contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of thought are conception, concept, idea, impression, and notion. While all these words mean "what exists in the mind as a representation (as of something comprehended) or as a formulation (as of a plan)," thought is likely to suggest the result of reflecting, reasoning, or meditating rather than of imagining.

commit your thoughts to paper

When might concept be a better fit than thought?

The words concept and thought are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, concept may apply to the idea formed by consideration of instances of a species or genus or, more broadly, to any idea of what a thing ought to be.

a society with no concept of private property

How do conception and concept relate to one another, in the sense of thought?

Conception is often interchangeable with concept; it may stress the process of imagining or formulating rather than the result.

our changing conception of what constitutes art

When is it sensible to use idea instead of thought?

Although the words idea and thought have much in common, idea may apply to a mental image or formulation of something seen or known or imagined, to a pure abstraction, or to something assumed or vaguely sensed.

innovative ideas
my idea of paradise

When would impression be a good substitute for thought?

The synonyms impression and thought are sometimes interchangeable, but impression applies to an idea or notion resulting immediately from some stimulation of the senses.

the first impression is of soaring height

In what contexts can notion take the place of thought?

While in some cases nearly identical to thought, notion suggests an idea not much resolved by analysis or reflection and may suggest the capricious or accidental.

you have the oddest notions

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 thought
Noun
And the very thought of chucking a book into the garbage simply because of its unsightly cover, or lack thereof, is a cardinal sin. —Peter Wortsman july 14, Literary Hub, 14 July 2025 Drop a comment with your thoughts, including your wildest theories and predictions about his character, below. —Andy Swift, TVLine, 14 July 2025
Verb
Some of the rules, like only having one serve, should also give tennis pause for thought about whether there are elements of UTS that would work well on the main tour. —Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024 The system as envisioned in the First Amendment, that the government cannot interfere with the freedom of the press, is working precisely as the Founders thought. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 24 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for thought
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thought
  1. idea
  2. consideration
  3. believed
  4. concept
  5. deliberation
  6. guessed
  7. impression
  8. notion
Noun
  • Miloš had a wacky idea about Burt Reynolds for a while.
    — Jordan Hoffman Updated, EW.com, 10 July 2025
  • Just as the fish rise to the surface when the water is calm, your best ideas may surface when your mind is tranquil and wandering during an evening shower.
    — Matt Fuchs, Time, 10 July 2025
Definition of idea
Noun
  • Because of the break in scheduling — Triple-A and Double-A affiliates hold their All-Star breaks at the same time MLB does — there is some consideration as to whether Herrera will need more live at-bats before re-joining the team.
    — Katie Woo, New York Times, 11 July 2025
  • According to Claire Shorenstein, MS, RD, CSSD, a sports dietitian at Eat for Endurance, a dish like this does in fact hit a lot of the nutrition considerations for athletes.
    — Audrey Bruno, SELF, 11 July 2025
Definition of consideration
Verb
  • Nobody would’ve believed that, right?
    — Anthony Slater, The Athletic, 15 Feb. 2025
  • He is believed to be the only dual-sport athlete in the NCAA this season to play football and men’s basketball.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 15 Feb. 2025
Definition of believed
Noun
  • For his new concept revitalizing the former Nash & Proper space, Jimenez is taking inspiration from popular fast food chains such as In-N-Out and Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, which have compact menus with high-quality ingredients.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2025
  • The new concept comes six months after the owner of Explorium Brewing purchased Good City Brewing's four locations and its brands.
    — Jordyn Noennig, jsonline.com, 14 July 2025
Definition of concept
Noun
  • James Toliver Craig, 47, is charged with first-degree murder after deliberation in the March 2023 death of his wife, Angela Craig, a 43-year-old mother of six.
    — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2025
  • After deliberations that went into the early evening, jurors convicted Johnson of attempting to commit first-degree murder, unlawful flight from a pursuing law enforcement vehicle and four counts of disorderly conduct.
    — Miguel Torres, AZCentral.com, 11 July 2025
Definition of deliberation
Verb
  • Robin Thicke guessed Lori Loughlin.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Although these participants guessed that about half of their leaders were climate-change deniers, only about 10 percent truly fell into that category, per the study.
    — Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of guessed
Noun
  • Any foot impressions left in the shoes could be used to model the feet of the original wearers.
    — Kameryn Griesser, CNN Money, 12 July 2025
  • Some design choices, however, amplify the impression of tight quarters.
    — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 July 2025
Definition of impression
Noun
  • That latter idea flows from a notion that if rescissions are proposed late in the fiscal year and Congress does not have the full 45-day period to act on any such proposals, the funds expire and become unavailable for obligation.
    — Doug Criscitello, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
  • But the fundamental notion to be grasped is one of purpose.
    — John Updike, New Yorker, 11 July 2025
Definition of notion

Phrases Containing thought

Browse Nearby Words

though
thought
thought (about or over)
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Cite this Entry

“Thought.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thought. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on thought

Nglish: Translation of thought for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about thought

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