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.

"I was terrified. In the back of my mind, I thought my baby was dead," she says.

From BBC • Jun. 13, 2026

In 2008, Gov. Eliot Spitzer thought he had a deal with James Dolan, the cable television scion whose family controls Madison Square Garden, to relocate the arena so a new Penn could be born.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 13, 2026

“And when I was there, they were still finishing up some of the big freeways.… I suddenly thought: ‘My God, this place needs its Piranesi, Los Angeles could have a Piranesi, so here I am!’

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2026

A planned splurge can be enjoyed without damaging one’s finances, while an impulsive splurge has little thought behind it.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 12, 2026

Seconds later, though, they thought this must be a joke, a very funny joke, because this was no castle and they were no princesses.

From "Adventures of Don Quixote" by Argentina Palacios

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