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
Relevance
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)
Verb
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Charles asks, and Linda realizes that her problems aren't solved, after all.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Mar. 2026 -
When Myra’s true intentions come to light, however, Billy realizes her plan threatens to consume them both.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Last year’s Oscars saw a five-year high in the ratings, with some crediting O’Brien’s relevance with a younger audience that knows him as the podcaster, not the late night host.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Mar. 2026
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Every Southern baker knows that there's nothing more delightful than making a caramel cake for friends and family.—
Nellah Bailey McGough,
Southern Living,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After taking a keen interest in Regan, Wolf discovers there may be more to her case than meets the eye.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Things get complicated when a new client (Isabel May) hires Lou, who then discovers her betrothed is a college friend and longtime crush (Manny Jacinto).—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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John Keating, a combat veteran who served on the City Council for 15 years, pitched himself as an experienced politician who understands city government deeply.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Mar. 2026
-
But for as much as Rick and Morty understands geekdom and storytelling conventions, the secret sauce is how much the series is interested in understanding feelings.—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Blakespear recognizes Women Who Inspire in Senate District 38, while Boerner hands out Women of Impact awards in the 77th Assembly District.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
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Sam is also a fantastic leader who recognizes that high-level filmmaking requires support.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In a news release shared on social media, the Bell Police Department urged residents to stay alert due to an increase in reports related to the crime, which sees the suspects following their victims after cash is withdrawn.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2026
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Poznan Mayor Jacek Jaśkowiak sees domestic innovation as a third wave in Poland’s postsocialist economic development.—
Claudia Ciobanu,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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About 15 minutes later, another 911 call comes in from a woman named Jane Kowalski, who sees Denise Lee slapping the back window of King's car and hears her screaming for help.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
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Not a passive one staring at a monitor in another state, but an active presence — someone who notices the unlocked window, who hears the footstep on the porch, who understands that an elder’s sudden confusion might signal a urinary tract infection.—
Neal K. Shah,
Boston Herald,
17 Mar. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Catches on (to).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catches%20on%20%28to%29. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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