REALIZE Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'realize' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of realize are conceive , envisage , envision , fancy , imagine , and think . While all these words mean "to form an idea of," realize stresses a grasping of the significance of what is conceived or imagined. // realized the enormity of the task ahead

Q: When might 'conceive' be a better fit than 'realize'?

While the synonyms conceive and realize 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

Q: How are the words 'envisage' and 'envision' related as synonyms of 'realize'?

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

Q: Where would 'fancy' be a reasonable alternative to 'realize'?

The words fancy and realize 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

Q: When can 'imagine' be used instead of 'realize'?

The words imagine and realize can be used in similar contexts, but imagine stresses a visualization. // imagine you're at the beach

Q: When would 'think' be a good substitute for 'realize'?

The synonyms think and realize are sometimes interchangeable, 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

realize

verb

ˈrē-ə-ˌlīz

Definition of realize next

as in to discover

to come to an awareness of I just realized that I can't go out to dinner tonight because I'm supposed to babysit for our neighbor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to earn

to receive as return for effort if you deposit your paycheck in a savings account, you'll realize a little interest on it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word realize distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of realize are conceive, envisage, envision, fancy, imagine, and think. While all these words mean "to form an idea of," realize stresses a grasping of the significance of what is conceived or imagined.

realized the enormity of the task ahead

When might conceive be a better fit than realize?

While the synonyms conceive and realize 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 are the words envisage and envision related as synonyms of realize?

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

Where would fancy be a reasonable alternative to realize?

The words fancy and realize 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 can imagine be used instead of realize?

The words imagine and realize can be used in similar contexts, but imagine stresses a visualization.

imagine you're at the beach

When would think be a good substitute for realize?

The synonyms think and realize are sometimes interchangeable, 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

Examples 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 realize Is this a song where, over the course of it, the person singing is going to realize something? —

Ben Travers, IndieWire, 20 Nov. 2024 His daughter was the first one to realize something was amiss. —

Laura Gersony, The Arizona Republic, 20 Nov. 2024 Those messages and phone calls were released under South Carolina's open records act, something Smith didn't initially realize could happen. —

CBS News, 20 Nov. 2024 Quickly, the women realize they’ve been lied to, thanks to a blueberry candle, and are forced into Mr. Reed’s tense musings and sadistic games for a chance to escape. —

Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for realize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for realize

Verb

Cuellar, who has served in Congress since 2005, said the bodies of the unidentified migrants were discovered Saturday morning by Mexican authorities at the Rio Grande.

John C. Moritz, Austin American-Statesman, 21 Nov. 2024
Regard strand at Cannes, centers on a teenage girl named Lesia who discovers her father, a crime boss, hiding out at a remote villa with his clan.

Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Nov. 2024