realize

verb

ˈrē-ə-ˌlīz How to pronounce realize (audio)
Definition of realizenext
1
as in to discover
to come to an awareness of I just realized that I can't go out to dinner tonight because I'm supposed to babysit for our neighbor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to earn
to receive as return for effort if you deposit your paycheck in a savings account, you'll realize a little interest on it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word realize distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of realize are conceive, envisage, envision, fancy, imagine, and think. While all these words mean "to form an idea of," realize stresses a grasping of the significance of what is conceived or imagined.

realized the enormity of the task ahead

When might conceive be a better fit than realize?

While the synonyms conceive and realize are close in meaning, conceive suggests the forming and bringing forth and usually developing of an idea, plan, or design.

conceived of a new marketing approach

How are the words envisage and envision related as synonyms of realize?

Both envisage and envision imply a conceiving or imagining that is especially clear or detailed.

envisaged a totally computerized operation
envisioned a cure for the disease

Where would fancy be a reasonable alternative to realize?

The words fancy and realize are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fancy suggests an imagining often unrestrained by reality but spurred by desires.

fancied himself a super athlete

When can imagine be used instead of realize?

The words imagine and realize can be used in similar contexts, but imagine stresses a visualization.

imagine you're at the beach

When would think be a good substitute for realize?

The synonyms think and realize are sometimes interchangeable, but think implies the entrance of an idea into one's mind with or without deliberate consideration or reflection.

I just thought of a good joke

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of realize Casual fans might know of Mike Evans consistent greatness for more than a decade in Tampa, but few fans realize Lavonte David has been a starter in Tampa Bay since the first Obama Administration? — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026 Other than taxpayers, bodega owners stand to be some of the biggest losers if New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) realizes his dream of city-run grocery stores. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2026 Tragically, the 11-time Grammy winner never got to see her vision realized on a New York stage. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 Through that experience, Hawes realized there was a gap in communication between students and trustees. — Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for realize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for realize
  1. discover
  2. earn
  3. see
  4. reap
  5. learn
  6. gain
  7. hear
  8. win
Verb
  • Expect to discover many novel flavors of Brazil—butiá, cajú, cumaru—worked into the menu in unique ways.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Detectives believe 44-year-old Lacurtis Knight, from Tamarac, was hit Sunday by the car somewhere else, and then moved by someone to where his body was discovered, according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office.
    — David Goodhue August 28, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of discover
Verb
  • Some soldiers distinguished themselves by helping to render emergency trauma response and first aid to civilians, earning individual service commendations, according to the Arkansas National Guard.
    — Neal Earley, Arkansas Online, 29 Aug. 2026
  • On Monday, those five writers — also DSA-LA members — panned the idea of an endorsement, saying Raman hasn’t earned it.
    — Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of earn
Verb
  • Institutional investors still seem to see growth opportunities, even if some sovereign wealth funds show signs of potential pullbacks.
    — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The expansion will see Amazon Web Services (AWS) deploy 2 million additional Nvidia graphics processing units (GPUs) in fiscal years 2027 and 2028.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of see
Verb
  • And now, the prequel films get to reap the benefits of the chemistry that Banks and Harrelson cultivated.
    — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Binders upon binders of policies on people like him that Wall Street was waiting on to die to reap their returns.
    — Vito Emanuel, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of reap
Verb
  • The sixth-year forward is an athletic rebounder and has learned to fill the gaps created by defenses focusing on Wilson in the frontcourt.
    — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • From the moment Billie learns about Sophie-Rose, the teenager who inherited her legendary fake ID after it was already passed down to multiple other Gen-Z blondes, she’s obsessed.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of learn
Verb
  • Oswego finished seven of its 11 drives by scoring points and gained 483 yards.
    — Jerry Birchfield, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Iceland, which gained independence from Denmark in 1944, has a proud history of independence, of not allowing itself to be pushed around by bigger and richer European nations.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of gain
Verb
  • Havard declined to comment on reports that Jimmy Carr is being lined up as the motoring show’s new host, but Deadline hears talks are underway with the comedian.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The court also heard testimony from Christine Reglin, a special agent with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, who maintained that the agency didn’t think Fatherley’s actions that night constituted a crime.
    — Sofi Zeman August 25, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of hear
Verb
  • All the drama from last week’s showdown with the season-21 designers is resolved by season 22 winning the unconventional-materials challenge.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Chidgasornpongse won best director in the Asian New Talent competition at the Shanghai International Film Festival, where Sompop Songkampol also took best actor.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of win

Browse Nearby Words

realizations
realize
realized
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Realize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/realize. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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