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
  • The spy thriller is just one of the many shows in Sheridan’s empire, and so Luckinbill realizes the biggest obstacle could be getting the prolific creator to take a break from TV.
    — Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Listening in from a nearby water tower via a wire, Rand realizes Kershaw’s connection to the plot and holds him at gunpoint, sparking a fierce brawl between them.
    — Max Gao, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of realizes
Verb
  • This response — full-hearted, full-throttle, fullalove — was a vivid example of Keeganism itself, as this corner of England knows and understands it.
    — Michael Walker, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Getty Images As the President of the Penske Corporation, Bud Denker knows how to close some major business deals.
    — Bruce Martin, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of knows
Verb
  • But when Fran discovers a magic tree after wandering into the woods, the trio experience a series of life-altering adventures.
    — Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The organization discovers its chain was optimized for yesterday’s demand.
    — Dennis Mitzner, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of discovers
Verb
  • This response — full-hearted, full-throttle, fullalove — was a vivid example of Keeganism itself, as this corner of England knows and understands it.
    — Michael Walker, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Specialization can help set your brokerage business apart from others because clients often want an advisor who understands the details of a particular property type.
    — James Nelson, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of understands
Verb
  • Peel, who is an expert on the Mexican cattle trade, told CNN that screwworm isn’t the primary force behind high cattle prices, and sees the issue as a fig-leaf for a broader anti-free trade agenda.
    — Max Saltman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The 2017 sketch sees Matt Damon claiming to be the father of Kimmel’s child with wife Molly McNearney, and Povich was supposed to adjudicate the dispute.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of sees
Verb
  • Guinness also recognizes Caterham as the world's oldest living woman.
    — Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Keitel’s Feraud keeps provoking the feud; Carradine’s D’Hubert recognizes its madness but remains too bound by the same code of honor to walk away.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of recognizes
Verb
  • Through Hood’s conversations with Silvia in the weeks leading up to the execution, Hood learned that Silvia often hears voices and speaks to others who are not there.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The Board of Tax Appeals, which was established in 1969, hears hundreds of appeals each year.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 11 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 24 Aug. 2026.

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