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 In the search for the all-purpose machine, the oracle to understand the things that people cannot yet comprehend, there’s no getting around the need for data. Quanta Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025 For traders focused on events, comprehending these historical patterns may provide a potential advantage. Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025 The purpose of understanding the aura is to have a better comprehension of how to navigate matters and to evolve into greatness by comprehending the colors and corresponding chakras. Lisa Stardust, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025 Now, those things are colliding in ways the pre-COVID mind couldn’t comprehend. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for comprehend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comprehend
Verb
  • And most key is that Abby is part of something much larger, which Ellie and Dina do not understand going into this at all.
    Adam B. Vary, Variety, 5 May 2025
  • Raymond Ward wants to see solar panels draped over every balcony in the United States and doesn’t understand why that isn’t happening.
    Akielly Hu, Wired News, 3 May 2025
Verb
  • The two probably are best known for their collaboration on Silver Linings Playbook.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 5 May 2025
  • The channel is known for its over-the-top stunts and contests.
    Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 5 May 2025
Verb
  • These individuals encompass today’s high schoolers, college students and most people in their 20s.
    Brent Daub, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
  • That vision eventually became Heartland Dental, which today is the largest dental-support organization in the United States, encompassing over 1,825 practices and more than 3,300 dentists in 40 states — and still growing.
    Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 May 2025
Verb
  • On paper, the perfect match might not be difficult to decipher, and Lucy very much looks at the numbers.
    Jessica Wang, EW.com, 2 May 2025
  • However, the current system is a mishmash of educational jargon that is difficult to decipher.
    Dan Walters, Mercury News, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • For no ads on those two streamers, the plan costs $44.99 per month (ads will be included on any tier of the ESPN. app).
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 14 May 2025
  • Additional houses that have recently been sold close by include: On Waterman Court, Danville, in February 2025, a 2,251-square-foot home was sold for $1,990,000, a price per square foot of $884.
    Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • Most adjust accordingly, but some never fully grasp the difference.
    Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2025
  • Likewise, most users probably won't grasp the details of the information displayed on the Device Security page.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • May contain slightly more flavonoids compared to green tea.
    Julie Marks, Verywell Health, 14 May 2025
  • Wildfire smoke contains very dangerous, tiny pollutants called PM2.5 that can travel deep into the lungs or enter the bloodstream when inhaled.
    Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • They were both recognized by the Recording Academy for Melodrama when it was nominated for Album of the Year at the 2018 Grammy Awards.
    Marina Watts, People.com, 15 May 2025
  • The Michigan governor’s comments on Biden come after House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) was asked about the new book, which states that Biden did not recognize Hollywood icon George Clooney.
    Asher Notheis, The Washington Examiner, 15 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Comprehend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comprehend. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

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