think

verb

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\ ˈthiŋk

thought\ ˈthȯt

\; thinking

Definition of think

(Entry 1 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to form or have in the mind

2 : to have as an intention thought to return early

3a : to have as an opinion think it's so

b : to regard as : consider think the rule unfair

4a : to reflect on : ponder think the matter over

b : to determine by reflecting think what to do next

5 : to call to mind : remember He never thinks to ask how we are.

6 : to devise by thinking —usually used with upthought up a plan to escape

7 : to have as an expectation : anticipate We didn't think we'd have any trouble.

8a : to center one's thoughts on talks and thinks business

b : to form a mental picture of

9 : to subject to the processes of logical thought think things out

intransitive verb

1a : to exercise the powers of judgment, conception, or inference : reason

b : to have in the mind or call to mind a thought

2a : to have the mind engaged in reflection : meditate

b : to consider the suitability thought of her for president

3 : to have a view or opinion thinks of himself as a poet

4 : to have concern —usually used with ofI must think first of my family.

5 : to consider something likely : suspect may happen sooner than you think

think better of

: to reconsider and make a wiser decision

think much of

: to view with satisfaction : approve —usually used in negative constructionsI didn't think much of the new car.

think

noun

Definition of think (Entry 2 of 3)

: an act of thinking He has to make up his mind, in a deep, hard think, whether he really believes that philanthropy is worth while.— Jerome Ellison … returned home for a rest and a good think.— Richard Corliss If he thinks he can fool me, he has another think coming. [=he is wrong]

think

adjective

Definition of think (Entry 3 of 3)

: relating to, requiring, or stimulating thinking

Other Words from think Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about think

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Choose the Right Synonym for think

Verb

think, conceive, imagine, fancy, realize, envisage, envision mean to form an idea of. 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 conceive suggests the forming and bringing forth and usually developing of an idea, plan, or design. conceived of a new marketing approach imagine stresses a visualization. imagine you're at the beach fancy suggests an imagining often unrestrained by reality but spurred by desires. fancied himself a super athlete realize stresses a grasping of the significance of what is conceived or imagined. realized the enormity of the task ahead 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

think, cogitate, reflect, reason, speculate, deliberate mean to use one's powers of conception, judgment, or inference. think is general and may apply to any mental activity, but used alone often suggests attainment of clear ideas or conclusions. teaches students how to think cogitate implies deep or intent thinking. cogitated on the mysteries of nature reflect suggests unhurried consideration of something recalled to the mind. reflecting on fifty years of married life reason stresses consecutive logical thinking. able to reason brilliantly in debate speculate implies reasoning about things theoretical or problematic. speculated on the fate of the lost explorers deliberate suggests slow or careful reasoning before forming an opinion or reaching a conclusion or decision. the jury deliberated for five hours

Examples of think in a Sentence

Verb We may finish sooner than you think. You should relax and try to think pleasant thoughts. I was just thinking what it would be like to be a doctor. I dread to think how he will react. Why do you always think the worst? Just think how nice it would be to live here. Just think—in two days we'll be on vacation, lying on the beach. Noun I'd have another think about doing that if I were you. Feel free to have a good think about it before you say yes.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb But to think he’ll ever be paid nearly $1.2 million a year until the age of 72? — Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY, "Opinion: There is no contract more legendary than Bobby Bonilla's deal," 1 July 2020 Yet to watch her pulling away from the pack at Belmont, winning by 18 ¾ lengths and posting the fastest time in a race that dates to 1931, was to think Gamine might beat the boys should that opportunity arise. — Tim Sullivan, The Courier-Journal, "Boys, beware! Bob Baffert's filly with 'insane' ability a Kentucky Derby possibility," 1 July 2020 Others felt that the artist was naive to think a noose could function as art in today’s context. — Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, "Can a noose be art? There’s one hanging from a porch in Washington that’s here to challenge your assumptions.," 1 July 2020 But on a personal level, Cote also delves deep about leadership, including his own processes for finding time to think big thoughts amid the daily grind. — Shawn Tully, Fortune, "‘Winning Now, Winning Later’ author David Cote on his secret to corporate creativity," 30 June 2020 Some people think there are officers who look for that. — Linda Gandee, cleveland, "Bay Village police chief retires; reflects on changing times," 29 June 2020 Seniors are the age group most likely to think Biden is suffering from dementia, said the Rasmussen analysis. — Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner, "Poll: 20% of Democrats ‘think Biden has dementia,’ 38% among all voters," 29 June 2020 Despite Wisconsin's allegiance to the Union during the Civil War, its loyalties to the Union and the end of slavery were not as clear-cut as Wisconsinites might like to think — and symbols of the Southern Confederacy still survive here. — Samantha Hendrickson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin still has Confederate monuments and symbols despite its history as a progressive state. Here's what they are.," 28 June 2020 But over time, these workers began to think more critically about the Boba Guys mission. — Janelle Bitker, SFChronicle.com, "Boba Guys workers allege pattern of racial discrimination at SF cafe chain," 27 June 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'think.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.