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.

Guest: Kian Tajbakhsh, visiting assistant professor at New York University, lecturer at Columbia University, who works on the Committee on Global Thought and in the School of International and Public Affairs.

From Slate • Mar. 5, 2026

On Carnforth resident posted on the site: "Heard a rumbling sound which intensified in to a loud bang. Thought my roof was collapsing or something! Very scary."

From BBC • Dec. 4, 2025

Thought and feeling bubble up beneath visible restraint—she’ll let a nervous glance scamper this way or that, or wear a smile that’s still crimped at the edges amid the teasing interplay of her peers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025

The conference "Imagining Nordic Paganism: Cultural Memories and Scholarly Thought Since the Middle Ages" focuses on the long history of how Scandinavian paganism has been interpreted.

From Science Daily • Nov. 23, 2025

Thought your friends were going to join you, did you?

From "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" by J.K. Rowling

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!

thought

Usage

Example Sentences

Related Words

Vocabulary lists containing thought

Lesson 4