catch on (to)

verb

Definition of catch on (to)next
1
as in to realize
to come to an awareness of she caught on to the fact that they were planning a surprise party

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to know
to have a clear idea of he finally caught on to the concept of phototaxis

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for catch on (to)
  1. realize
  2. know
  3. discover
  4. understand
  5. see
  6. decipher
  7. hear
  8. recognize
Verb
  • Like Bill Gates and MacKenzie Scott today, Rosenwald realized that people who command great wealth have corresponding responsibilities to help others.
    — Harold Pollack, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
  • In hearing their stories, Knopf came to realize that none had ever really learned how to teach children to read.
    — Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of realize
Verb
  • That included conversations with people within the Seahawks organization who know him, most notably backup quarterback Jalen Milroe, who played with Arnold at Alabama.
    — Tobias Bass, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Accessible only by boat and completely untouched, CNN’s Leroy Ah Ben explores this gem known mostly to locals.
    — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of know
Verb
  • Between 60% and 70% of new Ebola cases are being detected among people who were not already being monitored as contacts, meaning health workers may only discover infections after patients become sick and have had opportunities to expose others.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The researchers then discovered that the second population of neurons, called Ddah1+ neurons, responded to stress.
    — Isabella Backman, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of discover
Verb
  • The team says understanding why the impurities do not prevent the formation of high-quality pyrite could help guide the development of similar materials from abundant resources.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Yet Rosenwald understood that people who command such great resources also have a responsibility to use these resources to help others.
    — Harold Pollack, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of understand
Verb
  • While a thin sliver will remain illuminated by direct sunlight, most of the lunar surface will appear dramatically darkened with a subtle reddish-orange glow — reminiscent of a total lunar eclipse seen across North America on March 3.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • As premier, she has rarely been seen in public wearing all-black suits and boots.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of see
Verb
  • Western San Gabriel Mountains/Highway 14 Corridor When an air quality alert pops up on the radar, deciphering its implications is crucial.
    — Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 30 July 2026
  • The discovery began in 2024, when a representative of the monastery's preservation association asked Tornau to decipher the manuscript.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of decipher
Verb
  • Around that time, multiple officers fired stun guns — the electric shocks of which could be heard lasting about four or five seconds.
    — Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • In hearing their stories, Knopf came to realize that none had ever really learned how to teach children to read.
    — Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of hear
Verb
  • Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, which Belgrade still does not recognize.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Comedian, actor, and entertainer Bill Bellamy will be presented with the Icon Award at the 2026 Whats Funny Comedy Festival, recognizing his decades of excellence and impact on stand-up comedy and entertainment.
    — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of recognize
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.

Browse Nearby Words

catch one's eye
catch on (to)
catchpenny
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Catch on (to).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catch%20on%20%28to%29. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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