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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.

“We thought the leadership was stretched and due to fade — yet strength has only intensified.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 24, 2026

I mistakenly thought that only happened if you booked through a third party.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

I thought that I couldn’t get hurt if I was completely conscious throughout the endeavor.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

Laura Jacobs thought she'd never wear animal fur, having witnessed years of protests over its use in clothing -- until suddenly she started spotting it all over New York.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

The voice in my head that’s Dad’s reminds me that it’s fine, that it doesn’t matter when we celebrate it, that it’s the thought that counts.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Vocabulary lists containing thought

Lesson 4

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!