Definitions

thought

[thawt] / θɔt /

NOUN

formation of mental objects

Synonyms

STRONGEST

attention hope logic reflection speculation thinking understanding

STRONG

anticipation apprehending cerebration cogitation cognition concluding consideration considering contemplation deducing deduction deliberation deriving discerning heed ideation inducing inferring introspection intuition judging knowing meditation musing perceiving rationalization rationalizing realizing reasoning regard rumination scrutiny seeing study theorization

WEAK

brainwork

Antonyms

STRONGEST

disbelief

STRONG

disdain disregard disrespect heedlessness ignorance neglect negligence thoughtlessness

WEAK

concrete thing vacancy vacuity

NOUN

idea, concept

Synonyms

STRONGEST

anxiety assessment belief concern conclusion dream expectation feeling hope image intention judgment knowledge notion opinion plan prospect theory thinking understanding view worry

STRONG

aim appreciation aspiration assumption attentiveness brainchild brainstorm caring compassion conception conjecture conviction design drift estimation fancy guess hypothesis inference intuition kindness object premise purpose regard reverie solicitude supposition sympathy

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calmness certainty concrete disbelief fact ignorance reality truth

STRONG

cruelty dislike disregard harshness hate indifference knowledge meanness measurement mercilessness neglect proof

WEAK

thing vacancy vacuity

Usage

What are other ways to say thought? The noun thought, which reflects its primary emphasis on the mental process, may denote any concept except the more weighty and elaborate ones: I welcomed his thoughts on the subject. A thought came to him. Idea, although it may refer to thoughts of any degree of seriousness or triviality, is commonly used for mental concepts considered more important or elaborate: We pondered the idea of the fourth dimension. The idea of his arrival frightened me. Conception suggests a thought that seems complete, individual, recent, or somewhat intricate: The architect's conception delighted them. Notion suggests a fleeting, vague, or imperfect thought: a bare notion of how to proceed.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Stevens said he was working nearby when he saw a "serious fire" on the farm which he thought was one of his barns, but when he arrived, discovered it was the light aircraft.

From BBC • Jun. 26, 2026

The discovery raises an intriguing possibility: some clues to Earth's early microbial past may be hiding in places scientists never thought to look.

From Science Daily • Jun. 26, 2026

“I thought American Fork was awesome!” he wrote to a reporter, praising the friendly people and the beautiful scenery.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 26, 2026

“Everybody thought it was funny because it was kind of meta, but it was pointing out real issues.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 26, 2026

I know it’s crazy, but I thought he’d never love anyone other than Mom.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

Vocabulary lists containing thought

Lesson 4

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thought

Usage

Example Sentences

Related Words

Vocabulary lists containing thought

Lesson 4