catches on (to)

verb

present tense third-person singular of catch on (to)
1
as in realizes
to come to an awareness of she caught on to the fact that they were planning a surprise party

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in knows
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 catches on (to)
  1. realizes
  2. knows
  3. discovers
  4. understands
  5. sees
  6. recognizes
  7. hears
  8. deciphers
Verb
  • If someone realizes an expense was missed or has a question about a bill, Meier recommends bringing it up privately.
    — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Alice eventually realizes that the bracelet is an identifier for an infant Safe Surrender box located somewhere in the city.
    — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of realizes
Verb
  • And who knows about Newcastle, who have lost three crucial players and only really brought in promising youngsters, all of whom will be managed by someone recruited from the Saudi Pro League.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The Beast in Me showrunner Howard Gordon knows there was one scene in the Netflix limited series that was divisive because of its brutality.
    — Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of knows
Verb
  • The Federal Trade Commission says criminals may collect application fees or deposits from several people before anyone discovers the property was never available.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The same goes for cold snaps in winter, when every homeowner suddenly discovers their furnace needs fixing.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of discovers
Verb
  • Early in the first episode, viewers see Sean Combs discussing the importance of media strategy and saying his team needs someone who understands propaganda and media manipulation.
    — Krystie Lee Yandoli, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Do not hope everyone magically understands the practical need today.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of understands
Verb
  • The way Rosado sees it, the role changes are key for Duarte and others.
    — Will Sammon, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Beijing sees green tech as a source of energy security, future prosperity and influence abroad.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of sees
Verb
  • If developmental science justifies treating adolescent offenders differently from adults, then that same science should also inform how Connecticut recognizes, protects, and supports adolescent victims.
    — Keith Wortz, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Obreht distinguishes herself as a spellbinding writer who recognizes the ways that mythologies bend the truth to dazzle us with stories that capture a larger history.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of recognizes
Verb
  • The Board of Tax Appeals, which was established in 1969, hears hundreds of appeals each year.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 11 Aug. 2026
  • One hears the in-depth individual cases of immigrants who are pursuing their claim of asylum.
    — Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of hears
Verb
  • Qualcomm’s chip can run Linux, along with Arduino software, and can even do computer vision, which deciphers what a camera sees and translates it into software.
    — Kif Leswing, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2025
  • With that base knowledge and his opponent’s game tape, Nolan analyzes wide receiver alignments and deciphers the offense's attack.
    — Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of deciphers
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

catches one's eye
catches on (to)
catches up
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Catches on (to).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catches%20on%20%28to%29. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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