understanding

¹un·der·stand·ing

noun \ˌən-dər-ˈstan-diŋ\

Definition of UNDERSTANDING

1

: a mental grasp : comprehension

2

a : the power of comprehending; especially : the capacity to apprehend general relations of particulars

b : the power to make experience intelligible by applying concepts and categories

3

a : friendly or harmonious relationship

b : an agreement of opinion or feeling : adjustment of differences

c : a mutual agreement not formally entered into but in some degree binding on each side

4

: explanation, interpretation

5

: sympathy 3a

Examples of UNDERSTANDING

1. He has a thorough understanding of the subject.
2. She has a basic understanding of the process.
3. I hope to get a clearer understanding of the issues involved.
4. He seems to have little understanding of our situation.
5. We have an understanding that whoever cooks doesn't have to do the dishes.
6. She treats them with kindness and understanding.
7. a relationship based on mutual understanding

First Known Use of UNDERSTANDING

before 12th century

Related to UNDERSTANDING

Synonyms

accord, bargain, compact, contract, convention, covenant, deal, disposition, pact, settlement, agreement

Antonyms

incomprehension, noncomprehension

Related Words

charter, treaty; binder, pledge, promise; alliance, association, entente, entente cordiale, league, partnership; acceptance, approval, assent, concurrence, consent, OK (or okay)

Near Antonyms

misapprehension, miscomprehension, misinterpretation, misperception, misunderstanding

Rhymes with UNDERSTANDING

belly landing, mind-expanding, notwithstanding, pancake landing, three-point landing

²understanding

adjective

Definition of UNDERSTANDING

1

archaic : knowing, intelligent

2

: endowed with understanding : tolerant, sympathetic <an understanding supervisor>

— un·der·stand·ing·ly \-ˈstan-diŋ-lē\ adverb

Examples of UNDERSTANDING

1. <a kind and understanding teacher who often helps troubled students>

First Known Use of UNDERSTANDING

13th century

Related to UNDERSTANDING

Synonyms

commiserative, compassionate, empathetic, empathic, humane, sympathetic

Antonyms

callous, cold-blooded, coldhearted, hard, hard-hearted, heartless, inhuman, inhumane, insensate, obdurate, unfeeling, unsympathetic

Related Words

feeling, perceptive, sensitive; considerate, gentle, softhearted, tender, tenderhearted, warm, warmhearted; benevolent, benignant, bighearted, charitable, kind, kindhearted, kindly, largehearted, magnanimous; clement, lenient, merciful, tolerant; pitying, ruthful; congenial, cordial, friendly, genial, good-natured, good-tempered, gracious, well-disposed; affectionate, loving

Near Antonyms

inconsiderate, insensitive, thoughtless, unthinking; aloof, cool, indifferent, uncaring, uninterested; unaffectionate, unfriendly, unloving; merciless, pitiless, ruthless; bigoted, blinkered, narrow-minded, small-minded; brutal, grim, hard-bitten, hard-boiled, harsh, oppressive, rough, severe, stern, tough, ungentle, unrelenting; abusive, acrimonious, disagreeable, hateful, hostile, ill-natured, ill-tempered, malevolent, malicious, mean, rancorous, spiteful, surly, unkind, virulent