CATCHES ON (TO) Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

catches on (to)

verb

present tense third-person singular of catch on (to)

as in realizes

to come to an awareness of she caught on to the fact that they were planning a surprise party

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as in knows

to have a clear idea of he finally caught on to the concept of phototaxis

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for catches on (to)

Verb

Later, their tentative friendship turns into something more passionate — to the dismay of eavesdropping Asla, who realizes she is not the party Helge’s charm was aimed at.

— Dennis Harvey, Variety, 26 July 2026
Store owners read those signals faster than any brand realizes, and their decision to work with you is often made in those moments.

— Joel Goldstein, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of realizes

Verb

Hard to follow the money No one knows the exact scale of cartel donations to Mexican political campaigns, but even former electoral officials acknowledge the sums are significant.

— Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
The two of them party hard enough and often enough that local police officer Montgomery (Missi Pyle) knows them by name; when some particularly irresponsible carousing crosses a line, however, they’re slapped with a community service sentence.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 25 July 2026

Definition of knows

Verb

Additionally, critical safety incidents must be reported no later than 24 hours after the frontier developer discovers them.

— Victoria Baeza Garcia, The Washington Examiner, 23 July 2026
Their cycle of retaliation deepens until each discovers that the greater threat comes from the people closest to them.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 July 2026

Definition of discovers

Verb

Despite not being a coffee drinker herself, Loyd understands the power of third place, creating connection, community, and a safe place for all to gather.

— Allison Smith, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
Variety understands Odom bowed out after the first act and was replaced by Manaia Glassey-Ohlson.

— K.J. Yossman, Variety, 24 July 2026

Definition of understands

Verb

Analyst Divya Gangahar sees several positives ahead of the company's quarterly results in early August, including improving demand and accelerating growth.

— Michael Bloom, CNBC, 25 July 2026
Unlike standard hearing and vision tests, these assessments examine how the brain interprets what the child hears and sees and may help identify underlying weaknesses contributing to behaviors associated with ADHD or autism.

— Jillian Pretzel, Parents, 25 July 2026

Definition of sees

Verb

Unlike standard hearing and vision tests, these assessments examine how the brain interprets what the child hears and sees and may help identify underlying weaknesses contributing to behaviors associated with ADHD or autism.

— Jillian Pretzel, Parents, 25 July 2026
Then, after Erica has a peevish moment with Scotty, the gang hears about the landing party’s prehistoric adventures over drinks.

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 23 July 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

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“Catches on (to).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catches%20on%20%28to%29. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of catches on (to)

verb

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