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
Losing him is impossible to comprehend.
—
Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026
But the humanity in our work, the things AI will never fully comprehend or automate, now commands premium compensation.
—Joe Toscano, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
At Bellevue, Bessie Ramseur had also been unable to comprehend why this had happened to her son, James.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
According to the suit, the practitioners didn’t order blood tests for Lindsay, often met with her virtually when in-person visits would have been more conducive to treatment, and failed to fully comprehend the severity of her deterioration.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for comprehend
Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026
But the humanity in our work, the things AI will never fully comprehend or automate, now commands premium compensation.
—Joe Toscano, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
At Bellevue, Bessie Ramseur had also been unable to comprehend why this had happened to her son, James.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
According to the suit, the practitioners didn’t order blood tests for Lindsay, often met with her virtually when in-person visits would have been more conducive to treatment, and failed to fully comprehend the severity of her deterioration.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for comprehend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comprehend
Verb
-
Senate faculty want to understand how the administration will balance the budget in ways that preserve the academic mission.—
Jaweed Kaleem,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Some people didn’t understand how someone like Van Der Beek didn’t leave his family enough money, even though the actor had spoken openly about his money struggles due to cancer treatments.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The group also used signals from what's known as an avalanche beacon, which allows skiers to send radio signals so they can be tracked by first responders.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Our Local Group — like all galaxy groups and galaxy clusters — will experience this, eventually creating a super-galaxy known as Milkdromeda.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
My professional background encompasses the authorship of policies, procedures, and operational plans that continue to influence the office’s direction today.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Midsize sounds so neutral, so matter-of-fact‚ and that’s exactly the vibe of the movement the term inspired, which also encompasses style experimentation and inspiration.—
Petra Guglielmetti,
Glamour,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Pitch tipping — the art of deciphering what might be coming based on small tells a pitcher might have — is a legal and common practice.—
Evan Drellich,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
-
How fans experience the game and how referees decipher controversial calls will only get better as visual AI advances.—
Jason Corso,
Fortune,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The trend toward a more sustainable Mardi Gras has been growing for years and includes a small but growing variety of more thoughtful throws like food, soaps and sunglasses.—
TRAVIS LOLLER,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The expansive grounds cover 19 acres bordering the river, including a recreated 19th-century New England coastal village, a working shipyard, and the only wooden whaleship ship still afloat in the United States.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
When this happens, it can be retrieved by passing an endoscope into the stomach, grasping, and removing it.—
Dr. John De Jong,
Boston Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Setting aside the fact that the mayor of LA has no control over the Sheriff’s Department, such a proposal appears to have manifested out of his inability to grasp the cruel reality of the federal government’s deportation program.—
Rafael Perez,
Daily News,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Honorable mentions New to the regular concession offerings, the Baja-style fruit cups are a light and refreshing snack containing slices of watermelon, mango, jicama and cucumber and they are garnished with chamoy, lime juice and Tajin.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Water and moisture resistance Wood and water don’t mix well, and any type of flooring that contains wood will be prone to warping, rot and permanent water damage.—
Dan Simms,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The president began his speech by recognizing the passing of civil rights leader, former presidential candidate and Black icon Jesse Jackson.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
-
However, a research team led by Giulia Tagliabue, an associate professor at the LNET, recognized the role of light in the process as well.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Comprehend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comprehend. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
