Definition of comprehendnext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word comprehend distinct from other similar verbs?

The words appreciate and understand are common synonyms of comprehend. While all three words mean "to have a clear or complete idea of," comprehend may stress the process of coming to grips with something intellectually.

I have trouble comprehending your reasons for doing this

When is it sensible to use appreciate instead of comprehend?

While the synonyms appreciate and comprehend are close in meaning, appreciate implies a just evaluation or judgment of a thing's value or nature.

failed to appreciate the risks involved

How are the words understand and comprehend related?

Both understand and comprehend are very often interchangeable, with understand sometimes stressing the fact of having attained a firm mental grasp of something.

orders that were fully understood and promptly obeyed

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of comprehend Rushing out onto the beach, George struggled to comprehend what had happened. Literary Hub, 11 June 2026 To comprehend the level of stoke over this momentous Meridian occasion, listen to the loud buzz from Idahoans on social media. Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 11 June 2026 Even the European mind can comprehend that. Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 10 June 2026 Rose’s relationship with her father, too, is unusual in its unresolved jaggedness, while Sisto’s gruffly on-edge performance points to a deeper well of adult pain in Wes that his daughter cannot yet manage or comprehend. Guy Lodge, Variety, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for comprehend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comprehend
Verb
  • Hughton, whose father is from Accra, understands the frustration of a fanbase starved of success for so long.
    Simon Hughes, New York Times, 17 June 2026
  • In cosmology itself, there has been quite a bit of progress in the past five years to develop the theoretical techniques to understand these three-dimensional data that have been gathered by new devices….
    Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • Federal authorities said the unsafe or improper use of drones, also known as unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), can pose risks to aircraft, law enforcement operations and people on the ground.
    Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 12 June 2026
  • Consider it a hometown tour led by a queen who’s captivated the world but still knows exactly where to find the best pho, the coolest art, and the perfect perch to watch someone else tear up the dance floor.
    Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • The conservation development outlines several unique features, including building with sustainable materials, a nature trail that will encompass the perimeter of the development and communal green spaces.
    Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
  • At the core of this AI transformation is Epic’s Cosmos dataset, encompassing over 300 million patient records and more than 16 billion encounters across four countries—a formidable advantage that sets Epic apart from its competitors.
    Sahar Hashmi, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • This season, with a full deck of defensive backs — including rookies Will Lee and Zakee Wheatley — Evero will decipher his best secondary combinations.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 27 May 2026
  • Immigration experts who were trying to decipher the news said the memo was more nuanced, leading to confusion over what the change actually entailed.
    Rebecca Santana, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
Verb
  • Brianna and Kierianna Long now face several charges in connection with the May 30 incident, including assault with intent to murder, assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and assault with a dangerous weapon, according to local reports.
    Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026
  • Trump has frequently complained that Obama’s deal included the transport of cash from the US to Iran.
    Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 15 June 2026
Verb
  • Every new one approaches life with a little different twist that the one that came before didn't have the time to grasp.
    Sarah Scott, Parents, 14 June 2026
  • McAfee, not fully grasping why people would want to drink milk that was unpasteurized, nonetheless went to his silo, filled half-gallon containers and packed them in ice chests.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
Verb
  • The Chiefs Hall of Honor on the second-level concourse contains the organization’s four Super Bowl trophies, memorabilia, exhibits and documents, and there is no admission to walk through history.
    Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 17 June 2026
  • The farm system does not contain an endless supply of prospects.
    Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • In the years that followed, law enforcement agencies nationwide changed their response to active shootings, more clearly recognizing that the first officers on scene should move to confront the shooter immediately, even if alone.
    Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 12 June 2026
  • Chicago Fire fans will recognize Brian Gutiérrez, who scored nine goals for the squad last season.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 12 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Comprehend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comprehend. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.

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