Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
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.

Wrote Diamond in the liner notes of his “In My Lifetime” box set: “I actually thought ‘Crunchy Granola Suite’ might change people’s eating habits!”

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

Its backlog is expected to hit $200 billion by the end of 2027, about a year earlier than management previously thought.

From Barron's • May 6, 2026

Sarah said: "They were talking to each other in Spanish and when they told us we couldn't board we thought it must have been a system failure."

From BBC • May 6, 2026

I was humbled by what I thought would be a compliment about my surgical knowledge and dexterity.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

“Are you and Angelina . . .” I thought about how to put it.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

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!