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
Reuters 13 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
The public deserves answers on this and a better understanding of what this means for their everyday costs.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
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
Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 7 Feb. 2026
This suggests that spider silk research could offer new insights into human health, particularly in understanding how biological signaling works at a molecular level.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for understanding
Noun
Jack Lang had been summoned to report on Sunday to the Foreign Ministry, which supervises the Arab World Institute, a cultural and research institution that promotes understanding of the Arab world.
—Reuters 13 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
The public deserves answers on this and a better understanding of what this means for their everyday costs.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 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
The key is understanding the difference and structuring the deal accordingly.
—Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 7 Feb. 2026
This suggests that spider silk research could offer new insights into human health, particularly in understanding how biological signaling works at a molecular level.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for understanding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understanding
Noun
-
Health officials are working to secure more agreements with pharmaceutical companies to expand the selection of prescription drugs on the platform.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The truth is that the chief has not adequately addressed questions related to the implementation of the agreement.—
Thomas Kennedy,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And Strong approaches each day with a new outlook and a total appreciation for a second chance.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Sending love and strength and appreciation.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Depictions of such raw humanity have the capacity to shape us into more compassionate community members, more thoughtful voters and more indignant seekers of justice.—
Anya Sesay,
jsonline.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
On the surface, this may sound compassionate.—
Eleanor Sobel,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Large language models represent the first technology capable of analyzing, contextualizing and deriving insights from this avalanche of information.—
Sahar Hashmi,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Resolve this by walking your own path (literally) and deriving support from people who are capable of caring about you.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
5 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The level of supervision gives parents a chance to rest easy, knowing that their kids are in good hands.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Typical zero-knowledge proofs require a demonstration of how to build what’s called a simulator, which can re-create the steps of the proof without actually knowing the secret solution.—
Peter Hall,
Scientific American,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Health care professionals are now caught between deciphering new legislation and their duty to provide quality care.—
Eleanor Sobel,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
-
As an avalanche and dead bodies ratchet up the suspense, Zach must lean on his mother’s wisdom to fight for his life while deciphering a confusing undercurrent of danger, violence and betrayal among the survivors.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The pact with Washington, Oregon and four Native American tribes had allowed for a pause in the litigation.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The pact with Washington, Oregon and four Native American tribes had allowed for a pause in the litigation.—
Claire Rush,
Fortune,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Engineers have struggled to close the reaction gap between human perception and machine processing without sacrificing accuracy.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Reality and perception count CATS has beefed up security in recent months.—
Caitlin McGlade,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Understanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understanding. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
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