envisaged
8 synonyms and 0 antonyms for envisaged, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — Imagined or pictured something as a future possibility; formed a mental picture of how something would be.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb chiefly British
Imagined or pictured something as a future possibility; formed a mental picture of how something would be.
“The founders envisaged a company that would still be family-run in fifty years.”
2. verb formal
Planned or intended something to happen in a particular way, especially in official or formal writing.
“The treaty envisaged a phased withdrawal of troops.”
How to use envisaged
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Common in policy documents, plans and contracts; slightly formal in everyday speech.
Etymology
From French envisager, from en- ('in') plus visage ('face'), originally meaning to look in the face of something.
Full origin of envisaged →Frequently asked questions
Is it 'envisaged' or 'envisioned'?
Both are correct and mean much the same thing. 'Envisaged' is the usual form in British and Commonwealth English, while 'envisioned' dominates in American English. In formal documents and contracts, 'envisaged' is also the more common choice worldwide.
What is the difference between 'envisaged' and 'expected'?
'Expected' simply says you thought something would happen. 'Envisaged' says you actively pictured or planned it in a particular shape, so it carries a sense of design or intention rather than mere prediction.
Can you envisage a person doing something?
Yes. The pattern is 'envisage someone doing something', as in 'I can't envisage him agreeing to that.' Using 'to do' after it ('I can't envisage him to agree') is not idiomatic.