1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in compassionate
having or showing the capacity for sharing the feelings of another
a kind and understanding teacher who often helps troubled students
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in knowing
to have a practical understanding of
I think I understand how an engine works now
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in deciphering
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of understanding
Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 21 Oct. 2025
There’s a kind of understanding, a rhythm, and a trust that just clicks.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 Oct. 2025
Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 19 Sep. 2025
Thanks to Comedy Central and South Park fans for being so understanding.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 21 Oct. 2025
Acting has given me a way of understanding myself.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for understanding
Noun
Through heartfelt storytelling and vibrant illustrations, the book guides children (and the adults reading with them) toward a deeper understanding of self-expression, balance, personal joy, and the importance of one’s feelings.
—Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 21 Oct. 2025
There’s a kind of understanding, a rhythm, and a trust that just clicks.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Thanks to Comedy Central and South Park fans for being so understanding.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 19 Sep. 2025
Thanks to Comedy Central and South Park fans for being so understanding.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
From textiles to retail spaces, understanding consumer behavior and demand—and transforming those insights into strategic commercial actions—is a vital element of successful design.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 21 Oct. 2025
Acting has given me a way of understanding myself.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for understanding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understanding
Noun
-
First Brands had a web of complex debt agreements with a slew of lenders and investment funds globally.—
Michael Wayland,
CNBC,
20 Oct. 2025
-
These interagency agreements carefully sidestep the statutes by having the Education Department retain oversight and leadership while managing the programs alongside other agencies.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Her fans started donating $13 — Swift’s favorite number — to the Monterey Bay Aquarium to show their appreciation for the singer.—
Renan Botelho,
Footwear News,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Its clothing doesn’t come cheap — a nylon tunnel down hooded jacket costs $1,075 — but its investment in material innovation and appreciation of (and ability to intertwine with) modern culture has contributed to its enduring popularity.—
Steve Salter,
CNN Money,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Talk through what’s bothering you to gain a compassionate perspective.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Advertisement Del Toro, on the other hand, portrays the Creature as a far more empathetic and compassionate figure.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Specifically, Larsson was searching for dentalium shells—the long, tubular shells deriving from dentaliums, a type of marine mollusk.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
13 Oct. 2025
-
In the years since, Wickelgren, Kass and others have reframed a host of other enumerative problems using motivic homotopy theory, deriving the relevant quadratic forms in various number systems.—
Joseph Howlett,
Quanta Magazine,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Minnesota went into the bye week knowing how pressing this concern was.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
17 Oct. 2025
-
There’s no question that the younger generation has brought their own approach to office life—prioritizing mental health, flexible scheduling, and work-life balance—and are even getting fired for not knowing how to act workplace-appropriate.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Though historians have called for further research before making claims, the proposal of a script rooted in sign language might open the chance to explore a new way of deciphering Mayan art and show the ancient civilization to be even more sophisticated and efficient than scholars even knew.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Sep. 2025
-
Now, a team of international astronomers has succeeded in deciphering the gravitational wave signal, GW190412, to determine more about the collision and the resulting event that sent an infant black hole hurtling through space.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The cap situation was tight heading into the offseason, and things got more restrictive when Trent Frederic and Evan Bouchard signed long-term pacts.—
Daniel Nugent-Bowman,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
-
That pact, which went into effect in 2020, is up for renegotiation next year.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The activist Aralikar believes that creating opportunities for female success is the key to shifting perceptions.—
Aishwarya S. Iyer,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
-
One of the chief reasons for flagging confidence is a perception that colleges aren’t giving graduates the skills employers need, said Kevin Guskiewicz, president of Michigan State University, one of the leaders at the meeting.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Understanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understanding. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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