Synonym Chooser

How is the word understand distinct from other similar verbs?

The words appreciate and comprehend are common synonyms of understand. While all three words mean "to have a clear or complete idea of," understand and comprehend are very often interchangeable, with understand sometimes stressing the fact of having attained a firm mental grasp of something.

orders that were fully understood and promptly obeyed

When is it sensible to use appreciate instead of understand?

The synonyms appreciate and understand are sometimes interchangeable, but appreciate implies a just evaluation or judgment of a thing's value or nature.

failed to appreciate the risks involved

Where would comprehend be a reasonable alternative to understand?

Although the words comprehend and understand have much in common, comprehend may stress the process of coming to grips with something intellectually.

I have trouble comprehending your reasons for doing this

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 It’s well understood among museum professionals that people like to look at bodies. Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 23 June 2025 But to do the first Soto trade justice, the franchise’s win-now window of 2022-24 has to be appreciated and understood. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 June 2025 Agnes understands that the world is not about good and evil and virtue and sin. Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 23 June 2025 The mission’s detailed investigation of Europa will help scientists better understand the astrobiological potential for habitable worlds beyond our planet. Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for understand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understand
Verb
  • The Trump administration said the strikes destroyed Iran's nuclear infrastructure, but the full extent of the damage is not known.
    Sonam Sheth Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
  • The attack is believed to be part of a hacking spree perpetrated by a cybercrime group known as Scattered Spider.
    Thomas Brewster, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • There may be a welcome change in the global balance of power, as China and Russia recognize that the United States is not kidding.
    Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The system even recognizes when the user is trying to sing and can change the pitch to match simple melodies.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • However, the original equation was derived from predominantly mammalian data.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 June 2025
  • Of that amount, $1.2 billion was derived from membership fees alone—accounting for nearly half of the operating profit, and primarily recurring.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • They had been expected to argue that severe mental disease or defect caused Purdy not to comprehend that his conduct was wrong.
    Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 June 2025
  • Israeli intelligence has also monitored the reaction to the campaign among Iranian leadership, which has struggled to comprehend the extent of the damage, the Israeli official said.
    Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • In other words, there was too much atmospheric static to decipher information using classical techniques.
    Joanna Thompson, Space.com, 21 June 2025
  • Mortgage professionals have mastered the art of deciphering hidden meanings, changing fears into wisdom and confusion into action.
    Neil Anders, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • Always, along the chain of hectic audience gossip, there was one person who decided to nip in the bud the talk about a too iconoclastic Beckett, and the relay to the estate was stopped; someone—more than one someone—who decided that Matthew and his crazy dreams were worth shielding.
    Han Ong, New Yorker, 22 June 2025
  • Two of the officials said they were told the administration has decided to award the money.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • For a band that broke up under a cloud of bitterness, Talking Heads still appreciate a good celebration.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 28 June 2025
  • But more importantly thank you for taking the time to appreciate the little things.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • While the unified front welcoming Trump to The Hague may prioritize maintaining the NATO alliance, 23 of the 32 member countries have reached the 2% of GDP spending threshold—and experts think some will reach 5% by or before 2035.
    Nino Paoli, Fortune, 25 June 2025
  • Avoid choosing colors without thinking about the whole picture; always consider how your shingle selection interacts with surrounding elements, including gutters, doors, shutters, and even landscaping.
    Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 25 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Understand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understand. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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