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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in knows

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for catches on (to)

Verb

Investigating the shoot-out is the third-generation sheriff Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones), who realizes Moss is in danger and tries to track him down.

— Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026
Within a few more minutes, though, the group realizes some landmarks remain.

— Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of realizes

Verb

The prince didn’t have any luck in blocking Kelce, which comes as little surprise given the Chiefs star knows how to avoid defensive players.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2026
Anyone who has worked at a fast-growing company at the edge of technology knows that obligations, circumstances and products change daily.

— Daniel Kjellén, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of knows

Verb

Some of the movie’s most memorable moments have barely anything to do with the plot, like when Matt discovers his eyelids fusing together and attempts to separate them with nail scissors in the bathroom of a bumpy plane.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Some way off Moss discovers a bag with $2 million in cash and takes it.

— Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of discovers

Verb

University of Miami president Joe Echevarria understands where the Atlantic Coast Conference stands in the grand scheme of college athletics.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026
The smiling, amiable android understands very little about her surroundings, believing that the sun (which recharges her batteries) is a deity that listens to her prayers to be chosen by a human.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of understands

Verb

Future quantum applications The team sees potential applications in electronics that consume less power and switch states rapidly.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
What the Collective[i] network sees says the answer is faster than almost anyone expects.

— Stephen Messer, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of sees

Verb

Lee recognizes the potential for that in the servant and chooses not to do these things, or at least not do them in a domineering or self-serving way.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
In addition to the recognition for the entire line, sophomore center Stewart Taufa was one of 40 players named to the Rimington Trophy Watchlist, an award that recognizes the nation’s top center.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of recognizes

Verb

Deadline hears that the BBC has held tentative discussions about whether Sounds could be folded in with iPlayer to create a single streaming service for video and audio, not unlike Netflix and YouTube.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2026
Her 7-year-old hears the conversations around her, sees the protests in her community and notices the visiting canal personnel.

— Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 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.

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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 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of catches on (to)

verb

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