1
as in to know
to have a practical understanding of
I think I understand how an engine works now
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to recognize
to have a clear idea of
after a few weeks in Russia I began to understand the language a little bit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to derive
to form an opinion or reach a conclusion through reasoning and information
as I understand it, this is the best plan that we have
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 understand
And there was a strange preoccupation with running out of time, even though the show ended a good 15 minutes early as if the performers didn’t understand their own timeline.
—
Matthew J. Palm, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
This month, love begins where there’s room for shared dreams, late-night conversations and feeling seen by someone who truly understands you.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
Lehman better understands it all now.
—Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
Even Iman couldn’t understand this [horrible belief].
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for understand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understand
Verb
-
Elordi played Frankenstein's monster — known as the Creature — in this adaptation of the story, and he was also nominated at the Globes for his performance.—
-
Other birds might have imprinted on humans and do not know how to hunt their own food.—
Verb
-
Learning the different personalities, learning how the job is impacting, recognizing when there's changes in personalities requires you to be invested in them, to be around them.—
-
In addition to his directing prowess, Reiner's skills as an actor were recognized by the Golden Globes in the past.—
Verb
-
Part of this growing divide between the rich and the average worker can also be traced back to where these households derive their wealth—namely from their exposure to the booming stock market of 2025.—
-
The brand’s very name, derived from a Sanskrit word, encapsulates Ghiya’s internationalism.—
Verb
-
And only by comprehending the Star Eaters will Ro also comprehend his part in their potential destruction.—
-
The sky served up no shortage of spectacle in 2025 —from lunar liaisons, solar prominences and fleeting meteor showers, to aurora and nebula scenes that unfold on a scale almost too massive for the human mind to comprehend.—
Verb
-
So, the thinking went, every costume, prop, and line reading is there for a reason, infinite symbolism scattered across the frame for anyone determined enough to decipher it.—
-
By building out a picture of the whales’ health, habits and diet, researchers are deciphering the many ways humans impact their lives and guiding conservation actions that may mean life or death for the orcas.—
Verb
-
This past Christmas, as a meaningful and nostalgic compromise, the McAlarneys and a group of other parents from their daughter Maddie's second-grade class all decided to get their children Tin Can landline phones for Christmas.—
-
Shanahan and Fangio are considered some of the best offensive and defensive play callers in the sport, and the matchup could decide who moves on to the divisional round.—
Verb
-
DiCaprio's enthusiasm in the clip was appreciated by fans.—
-
From gentle cleansers to serums that tackle fine lines and wrinkles, all ages (even my 20-something self) would appreciate her picks.—
Verb
-
In retrospect, thinking a guy who was the ninth WR in his NFL draft class would be fantasy football’s WR10 in his second year was a tad optimistic.—
-
But the actor didn't think the story of his character on all five of the Netflix series' seasons, Will Byers, and Will's longtime friend, Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard), had been fully wrapped up going into the final episode.—
Cite this Entry
“Understand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understand. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share