UNDERSTANDING Synonyms: 232 Similar and Opposite Words

understanding 1 of 3

noun

ˌən-dər-ˈstan-diŋ

as in agreement

an arrangement about action to be taken the tenants came to an understanding with the landlord that they would be able to renew their leases for the same rent

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Relevance

as in appreciation

the knowledge gained from the process of coming to know or understand something a social observer with a deep understanding of the problems that the nation's cities face in the 21st century

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understanding

2 of 3

adjective

as in compassionate

having or showing the capacity for sharing the feelings of another a kind and understanding teacher who often helps troubled students

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understanding

3 of 3

verb

present participle of understand

as in deriving

to form an opinion or reach a conclusion through reasoning and information as I understand it, this is the best plan that we have

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as in knowing

to have a practical understanding of I think I understand how an engine works now

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as in deciphering

to have a clear idea of after a few weeks in Russia I began to understand the language a little bit

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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 understanding

Noun

Since this is my family, my understanding early on was to find healing. —

Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026 Also flying is the Lunar Trailblazer, a mission selected under NASA’s Small Innovative Missions for Planetary Exploration (SIMPLEx) program, a small satellite designed to provide an understanding of the form, abundance, and distribution of water on the moon, as well as the lunar water cycle. —

Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026

Adjective

Thanks to Comedy Central and ‘South Park’ fans for being so understanding. —

Jack Dunn, Variety, 25 Sep. 2025 Thanks to Comedy Central and South Park fans for being so understanding. —

Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025

Verb

Vera Rubin, an astronomer whose observations of galaxy rotation curves in the 1970s provided the first robust evidence for dark matter's existence, embraced her Jewish faith as a guide to understanding her role in the universe. —

ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026 Preparation means understanding your client’s business, their operational needs, and their financial guardrails. —

Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for understanding

Recent Examples of Synonyms for understanding

Noun

The agreements ⁠— made with Epstein’s Southern Trust Company ⁠— were signed by executives of the Swiss bank and de Rothschild.

— Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal is citing senior American negotiators and officials as saying chances of an agreement with Iran by tonight's deadline are slim.

— Lucia I Suarez Sang, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026