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
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Recent Examples of comprehend
But many Floridians — particularly those who have moved here since 1998 and have no prior experience with wildfires on a massive scale — don’t see these signs and don’t comprehend the omens.
—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2026
But what awaits them in the woods is far older and stranger than any of them can comprehend, and no gods are coming to answer their prayers.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 19 Feb. 2026
Many of his voters are young and, like Japanese botanists who intentionally stunt growing trees, are devoid of the knowledge required to comprehend a pulsing metropolis.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
Bronwyn sleeps outside for no reason that the regular human mind can comprehend.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for comprehend
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2026
But what awaits them in the woods is far older and stranger than any of them can comprehend, and no gods are coming to answer their prayers.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 19 Feb. 2026
Many of his voters are young and, like Japanese botanists who intentionally stunt growing trees, are devoid of the knowledge required to comprehend a pulsing metropolis.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
Bronwyn sleeps outside for no reason that the regular human mind can comprehend.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for comprehend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comprehend
Verb
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The resulting insights are intended to help scientists understand how the ocean is changing and what those changes mean for the planet.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
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Royal Canadian Mounted Police Chief Superintendent Chris Leather called it a national security incident and said the national police force is working with Toronto police to understand the motive.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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With style, grace and a lot of love, the Lower Merion High School figure skating duo of Justin and Suri Lue know how to put on a cutting-edge show.—
Krystle Rich,
CBS News,
13 Mar. 2026
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It is known as Obamacare, but only informally.—
Jeremy Lott,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That definition came to encompass places like neighborhood coffee shops, libraries, bars and more, where people from different backgrounds came together in an informal setting with relatively low barriers to access.—
Laya Neelakandan,
CNBC,
7 Mar. 2026
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As a guideline, research your initial questions, then extend to encompass a bit more, to guard against being too narrow.—
Amy Lindgren,
Twin Cities,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Researchers using advanced imaging technology have deciphered 79 previously invisible inscriptions — including love notes, drawings of gladiators, and everyday messages — on a wall in the ancient city of Pompeii, offering a rare window into the lives of ordinary people nearly 2,000 years ago.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Mar. 2026
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Using this method, researchers deciphered 79 additional inscriptions that had eluded scholars for generations.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The question box includes a space for your name, but this is optional.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
27 Mar. 2026
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There are days when the Tennis Channel airs 19 hours of live tennis — and that’s not including pickleball on one of its free streaming services.—
Lucas Shaw,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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When first delivered, Valkyrie could walk on flat surfaces and perform basic actions, such as grasping and manipulating objects.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
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To grasp this piece of Roman history, Yanxiao argued, one had to study the Xiongnu—and to understand the Xiongnu, one had to read Chinese.—
Chang Che,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Oncor Electric is requesting that the Fort Worth City Council approve the rezoning of a southeast Fort Worth lot containing a power substation that the utility company intends to expand and renovate, documents say.—
Emily Holshouser,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Mar. 2026
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The religious article, called a kirpan, cannot be longer than 10 inches and must be contained in a sheath to wear in City Hall, according to the ordinance.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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It is officially recognized as sovereign by only 11 other nations, but is treated as de facto independent by Western powers such as the United States.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
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That’s a fact recognized by administration officials themselves and the nonprofit corporation responsible for operating the bulk electricity grid, the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO).—
Liz Krueger,
New York Daily News,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Comprehend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comprehend. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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