conceive

Synonym Chooser

How is the word conceive distinct from other similar verbs?

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

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 conceive?

Although the words fancy and conceive have much in common, fancy suggests an imagining often unrestrained by reality but spurred by desires.

fancied himself a super athlete

In what contexts can imagine take the place of conceive?

While in some cases nearly identical to conceive, imagine stresses a visualization.

imagine you're at the beach

When would realize be a good substitute for conceive?

The synonyms realize and conceive are sometimes interchangeable, but realize stresses a grasping of the significance of what is conceived or imagined.

realized the enormity of the task ahead

When can think be used instead of conceive?

In some situations, the words think and conceive are roughly equivalent. However, 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 conceive Disney Animation’s Moana 2, after being initially conceived for Disney+, then switched up for a theatrical release by Disney Co-Chairman Alan Bergman, will finally hit the service on March 12. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 25 Feb. 2025 According to a paternity petition filed in the New York Supreme Court, St. Clair alleges the pair got into a romantic relationship in May 2023, and conceived a child in January 2024, in St. Barts. Alexandra Koch, Fox News, 23 Feb. 2025 According to User Mag, which first reported the news, St. Clair claims she and the 53-year-old Tesla honcho began a romantic relationship in May 2023 before conceiving R.S.C. in January of last year. Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 22 Feb. 2025 It was originally conceived during the Eisenhower administration and later championed by President John F. Kennedy. E. Andrew Taylor, The Conversation, 17 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for conceive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conceive
Verb
  • Just imagining who could play Colman Smith in a TV or movie version of Pixie is enough to seriously excite the producers strutting the Olympia halls.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Like, imagine how different the world would be if police officers had this same energy for, say, the NYPD, killing hundreds of civilian complaints accusing the department of misconduct.
    Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The real stories of the game and its people from someone who lives it and understands it better than any member of the media who has never played the game ever could.
    Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Much of the series’ pathos hinges on the growing schism between mother and son as Kanan begins to understand the horrors of Raq’s machinations and deceit (including tricking him into assassinating his biological father), leading him to try to go into business for himself.
    Robyn Bahr, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index for February indicated that consumers think inflation will climb at an annual rate of 3.5% over the next five to 10 years.
    Zach Halaschak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Our Test Kitchen recipe tester thought the instructions were accurate and easy to follow.
    Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Lake Havasu City, Arizona Anyone moving to Lake Havasu City for retirement likely envisions spending as much time as possible outside.
    Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 11 Mar. 2025
  • It was envisioned by Frances Perkins during the Great Depression.
    E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • An small, undisturbed fishing town with untouched charm, it's not known to many—although word is slowly spreading.
    Mariah Tyler, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Emmy and Golden Globe winner Goodman, a beloved screen vet, is well known for series including Roseanne, The Conners and The Righteous Gemstones and movies such as The Big Lebowski, The Flinstones and Monsters Inc.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 8 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Venable believes the prospects gained experiences that will aid them and the club in the future.
    LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Authorities do not believe that Thompson was present when John Blauvelt murdered Cati Blauvelt.
    James Stolz, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Seattle saw some of Darnold’s best work up close in Minnesota’s Week 16 win at Lumen Field.
    Michael-Shawn Dugar, The Athletic, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Houston, which used just three reserves the majority of the night before emptying its bench in the final minutes, saw its bench total 25.
    Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Virgo Since the planet of communication is giving you a chance to see matters differently, read between the lines to comprehend people’s motives.
    Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Customers typically seek support when frustrated, angry or confused—emotions that chatbots cannot comprehend or address with empathy.
    Danny Asnani, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Conceive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conceive. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

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