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

Their intimate understanding of what Black people wanted and needed – for their hair and for their lives – helped grow the Black middle class and became an engine for Black culture and power. —

Sonari Glinton, NPR, 7 Jan. 2026 Trump seems to have arrived, on his own, at the same understanding of geography and politics that was pounded into the heads of Soviet schoolchildren, including Putin and me. —

M. Gessen, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026

Adjective

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

Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025 Thanks to Comedy Central and South Park fans for being so understanding. —

Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 19 Sep. 2025

Verb

By better understanding its environment, the robot can more effectively perceive and navigate the cluttered and complex interior of the reactor, avoiding obstacles and locating work areas. —

Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2025 Men in the study reported higher average alexithymia scores—close to clinical thresholds—indicating more difficulty understanding their emotions. —

Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for understanding

Recent Examples of Synonyms for understanding

Noun

Last week Meta announced agreements with three nuclear power companies for a data center in Ohio.

— Jordan Novet, CNBC, 13 Jan. 2026
That’s up from the current $249,000 and could grow to nearly $2 million over the life of the agreement, a person familiar with the negotiations told the AP earlier this month.

— Doug Feinberg, Twin Cities, 13 Jan. 2026