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 Family office decisions often involve intricate emotions, relationships, and values that algorithms cannot comprehend. Andy Busser, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026 Kudla says humanoid machines are advancing faster than the world can comprehend. Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 17 June 2026 The agreement is an acknowledgement that the defense could prove by a preponderance of the evidence that severe mental disease or defect caused McGuire not to comprehend that his conduct in the killing was wrong. Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 June 2026 These shy, geeky songs grope toward feelings that their human vessels don’t fully comprehend. Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 15 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
  • For up to a month, Luban remained in a spot off the southern coast of India that is known for high food productivity.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 June 2026
  • Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known and can spread easily, especially among unvaccinated or undervaccinated populations.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • In reality, Lewis says, men have a deep, wide range of feeling that encompasses both traditionally masculine and traditionally feminine aspects.
    Charles Trepany, USA Today, 21 June 2026
  • Roughly 6,500 feet of storm sewers and channels encompass the area, with new covered piping being laid.
    Greg Harutunian, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2026
Verb
  • There's a science behind adding curb appeal to your home, and Thumbtack has been on a mission to decipher the paint colors that add the most appeal to your exterior.
    Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 June 2026
  • What’s more, the back of the painting shows a number code which was deciphered in the project to reveal the year of production—1934.
    Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 11 June 2026
Verb
  • Hired for four years at a salary of $440,000, Carvalho quickly adopted a strategic plan that included detailed, regular review of a school’s test scores — from both the annual state tests and periodic district assessments.
    Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2026
  • That has caused several groups to propose their own ways to fix the program, including a Washington think tank whose paper proposed capping annual Social Security benefits at $100,000 to shore up the retirement trust fund.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 22 June 2026
Verb
  • But the combatants kept grasping and tugging each other off-balance.
    Bob Brody, New York Daily News, 21 June 2026
  • My eyes darted back and forth, trying to grasp the imposing silhouette in its entirety.
    Karina Zaiets, USA Today, 19 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
  • When was Juneteenth recognized in Georgia?
    Irene Wright, USA Today, 19 June 2026
  • Some doctors pulled back on prescriptions, recognizing the potential for abuse.
    Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Comprehend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comprehend. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.

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