1
as in to understand
to have a clear idea of
the age at which children can comprehend the difference between right and wrong
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to know
to have a practical understanding of
it took me a while to comprehend algebra
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to encompass
to have as part of a whole
our notion of morality should comprehend much more than proper sexual behavior
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
And that fire burns with a righteous fury that our enemies cannot comprehend or understand.
—
Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
One recent paper introduced General-Bench, a benchmark that uses five input modalities—text, images, video, audio, 3D—to test AI systems on hundreds of tasks that demand recognition, reasoning, creativity, ethical judgment, and other abilities to both comprehend and generate material.
—Matthew Hutson, IEEE Spectrum, 22 Sep. 2025
According to the Migration Policy Institute, more than 230,000 Coloradans have difficulty comprehending and communicating in English.
—Micki Olson, The Conversation, 16 Sep. 2025
The way humanity finally got to the level of ChatGPT was not by comprehending intelligence well enough to craft an intelligent mind.
—Nate Soares, The Atlantic, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for comprehend
Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
One recent paper introduced General-Bench, a benchmark that uses five input modalities—text, images, video, audio, 3D—to test AI systems on hundreds of tasks that demand recognition, reasoning, creativity, ethical judgment, and other abilities to both comprehend and generate material.
—Matthew Hutson, IEEE Spectrum, 22 Sep. 2025
According to the Migration Policy Institute, more than 230,000 Coloradans have difficulty comprehending and communicating in English.
—Micki Olson, The Conversation, 16 Sep. 2025
The way humanity finally got to the level of ChatGPT was not by comprehending intelligence well enough to craft an intelligent mind.
—Nate Soares, The Atlantic, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for comprehend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comprehend
Verb
-
Laughter from the crowd breaks the tension of what could have been understood as metaphor for Netanyahu’s actions.—
Romina Ruiz-Goiriena,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Plenty of Nashvillians can probably understand the Maxwell House coffee brand’s recent marketing move.—
Austin Hornbostel,
Nashville Tennessean,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The next manager will be their sixth in nine seasons — enough for any sensible person to know that the problem extends far beyond that chair.—
Sam Blum,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Horror fans often travel to destinations featured in scary movies or known for spooky legacies.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Running March 2023 to December 2024, the Eras Tour encompassed Swift’s entire repertoire, spanning 149 shows across 51 cities to become the highest-grossing tour of all time.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
4 Oct. 2025
-
There’s no downtown per se in Mentone, but a concentrated quarter-mile stretch of State 117 encompasses most of the retail fun.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Its strong first-week performance suggests there is, in fact, an audience hoping to decipher the mind of Ye all of these years later.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Many of which have yet to be deciphered.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
David Rosenberg, founder of the economic and market insights firm Rosenberg Research, similarly highlighted flaws with the gauge, including the use of GDP, which includes government sector activity that isn’t tied to corporate profits or future earnings.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
That's on top of industry-wide concerns about changing regulations, including tariffs, and shifting dynamics in electric and autonomous vehicle strategies.—
Michael Wayland,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The decision led to his being wiped during summer league, a good example of a player having his heart in the right place without fully grasping the consequences.—
Dan Woike,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Deputy Thomas Zajac, first on the scene, found Heskett kneeling in the grass near the park’s Old Mill Trail, grasping a pocketknife protruding from his abdomen.—
Andi Babineau,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
McSweeney’s elevation appeared bizarre, but Bailey and his selection team have openly stated their belief that the Test team should contain the best six batters regardless of position.—
Sam Dalling,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
But much like Week 1 against Justin Herbert and the Chargers, the Chiefs’ inability to contain the opposing quarterback in timely spots lost them the football game.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Tennessean photo journalist Andrew Nelles was recognized with a first place award in environmental photography by the 2025 Green Eyeshade awards for a collection of photos documenting the impacts of Hurricane Helene, which ravaged parts of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina.—
Nashville Tennessean,
Nashville Tennessean,
5 Oct. 2025
-
The lessons cover how to recognize online exploitation, what steps to take if a friend needs help, and how to use reporting tools effectively.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Comprehend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comprehend. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share