The phrase "thought of as" is commonly used to express how something or someone is perceived by others. However, there are several alternative ways to convey a similar meaning and vary your writing style. One option is to use phrases such as "regarded as", "seen as", "viewed as", "considered as", or "deemed as". Alternatively, you could use more informal language with phrases like "seen as", "called", or "known as". By diversifying your vocabulary, you can add depth and complexity to your writing, resulting in a more engaging and varied narrative.