thinking
10 synonyms and 0 antonyms for thinking, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The process of using your mind to consider or reason about something.
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.
How to use thinking
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle English thinking, thynkynge, thenkyng, equivalent to think + -ing.
Full origin of thinking →Frequently asked questions
What does “thinking” mean?
The word “thinking” means the process of using your mind to consider or reason about something. In plain terms, the mental process of reasoning, or a particular view that comes out of it.
How do you pronounce “thinking”?
“Thinking” is pronounced THIHNG-kihng (/ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “thinking” in a sentence?
Here is “thinking” used in a sentence: “Her thinking on the matter had changed a lot over the years.”
What part of speech is “thinking”?
“Thinking” is a noun.
Is “thinking” a common word?
“Thinking” is a very common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “thinking” have?
“Thinking” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the process of using your mind to consider or reason about something.
What is the difference between thinking and reasoning?
Thinking is the broad activity of using your mind — it includes daydreaming, remembering, and imagining as well as working things out. Reasoning is a narrower, more disciplined part of thinking: drawing conclusions step by step from facts or premises. All reasoning is thinking, but not all thinking is reasoning.
What are the different types of thinking?
Common kinds include critical thinking, which weighs evidence and judges soundness; creative thinking, which generates new ideas; analytical thinking, which breaks problems into parts; and abstract thinking, which handles concepts rather than concrete things. Most real tasks combine several of these at once.
Can thinking skills be taught?
Yes. Skills such as critical and analytical thinking can be learned and sharpened through practice, questioning, and structured methods, which is why schools and workplaces teach them directly. People differ in natural aptitude, but the underlying habits — checking assumptions and weighing evidence — can all be improved.
What is the difference between thinking and feeling?
Thinking is a mental process of reasoning, judging, and working things out with the mind. Feeling refers to emotions and physical sensations, which arise more automatically. The two are linked and constantly influence each other, but thinking is deliberate and reflective, while feeling is immediate and often involuntary.