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 thought about maybe taking them down the litigation side of things but the solicitor suggested a debt collector."

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

“I always thought of myself as ‘middle’ middle class,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

During my first watch, I thought this would be a run-of-the-mill, substandard thriller: Establish the characters, ramp up the obsession, throw a little violence in.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

As research continues, Mars is proving to be far more complex than once thought, with many of its secrets still waiting to be uncovered.

From Science Daily • Apr. 5, 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

thought

Usage

Example Sentences

Related Words