thought 1 of 2

noun

ˈthȯt How to pronounce thought (audio)
Definition of thoughtnext
1
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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

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
McIlroy prefaces his final thought with a warning: Some people might view this as totally backwards. —Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025 What are your thoughts on critiques like that? Rosher: As Kief said, there were months and months of discussions about this because that was the concern. —Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 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. consideration
  2. idea
  3. believed
  4. deliberation
  5. concept
  6. guessed
  7. impression
  8. notion
Noun
  • But the once-inconceivable consideration of tax increases underscores the tricky task that Republicans have in meeting competing demands from fiscal hawks, moderates and tax slashers for the ambitious party-line bill — as well as the rise of populist instincts in the party.
    — Emily Brooks, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Creating New Garden Beds Choosing the right spot for a new garden bed takes a lot of consideration.
    — Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of consideration
Noun
  • The basic idea is to start with something large and compact it down for easy transport.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Deporting supposed gang members and Hamas supporters without due process may violate any number of statutes, but forcing oppositionists to defend these people’s rights allows the administration to paint them as defending their ideas.
    — Garry Kasparov, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of idea
Verb
  • Nobody would’ve believed that, right?
    — Anthony Slater, The Athletic, 15 Feb. 2025
  • Israel says as many as half of them are believed to be dead.
    — Daniel Estrin, NPR, 15 Feb. 2025
Definition of believed
Noun
  • My wife doesn’t have time for corporate politics or endless deliberation.
    — Gully Flowers, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • The Prudhomme family’s attorneys had asked jurors to award his parents more than $17 million in damages, but after about a day of deliberations, the jury ruled that the city, through its employee, DeRieux, was not negligent.
    — City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of deliberation
Noun
  • And now, the time was ripe to take its concept on the road.
    — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • But is this really a new concept, or just a rebranding?
    — Ruhama Wolle, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of concept
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
  • That notebook is the source for these quick and sweaty odds and ends that didn’t fit into my first impressions story.
    — Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Yet Armstrong has made an instantaneous and significant impression.
    — Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of impression
Noun
  • Yes, the notion that a good tackle might fall is a big if.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The development reinforces the notion that Nvidia — the driving force of the generative AI boom on Wall Street for the past two years, turning in extraordinary sales, profit and share-price growth during that time — finds itself in an increasingly precarious moment.
    — Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 16 Apr. 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 22 Apr. 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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