1
as in understanding
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 knowing
to have a practical understanding of
it took me a while to comprehend algebra
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in including
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 comprehending
Hard sci-fi, meanwhile, leans into the fact that life evolving on other planets, under different conditions, and across different stretches of time will almost certainly take on forms so different from ours that comprehending them would be like imagining a new color.
—
Tim Brinkhof, Big Think, 24 Mar. 2026
As for whether comprehending the wiring of the brain really demands techniques from the frontiers of theoretical physics, questions remain.
—Lee Billings, Scientific American, 13 Jan. 2026
And only by comprehending the Star Eaters will Ro also comprehend his part in their potential destruction.
—Literary Hub, 2 Jan. 2026
And then just comprehending the infrastructure required, again, just for the eggs, let alone all the other things required.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 18 Nov. 2025
Heavener said her young students have a hard time comprehending what is going on.
—Natasha Korecki, NBC news, 14 Oct. 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
Understanding what the Padres’ bullpen is absorbing begins with comprehending just how good it’s been.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Sep. 2025
Tim Brinkhof, Big Think, 24 Mar. 2026
As for whether comprehending the wiring of the brain really demands techniques from the frontiers of theoretical physics, questions remain.
—Lee Billings, Scientific American, 13 Jan. 2026
And only by comprehending the Star Eaters will Ro also comprehend his part in their potential destruction.
—Literary Hub, 2 Jan. 2026
And then just comprehending the infrastructure required, again, just for the eggs, let alone all the other things required.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 18 Nov. 2025
Heavener said her young students have a hard time comprehending what is going on.
—Natasha Korecki, NBC news, 14 Oct. 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
Understanding what the Padres’ bullpen is absorbing begins with comprehending just how good it’s been.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comprehending
Verb
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While this energy focuses more on couples, exploring and understanding your needs and sexuality will feel deeply fulfilling at this time.—
Kyle Thomas,
PEOPLE,
7 June 2026
-
Davis told Variety that Bulochnikov-Paul’s experience is a sign of how much progress has been made in research and understanding how to manage the diseases, which affects different people in different ways.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
7 June 2026
Verb
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Here was a man who answered the bell for nearly six years knowing that the audience had virtually disappeared because of a dispute with Comcast.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
11 June 2026
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That real trust can be rare, from knowing other young lads (at Liverpool) and their experiences on loan.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
Verb
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The high court has previously upheld other methods of execution throughout the country, including lethal injection, electrocution and firing squad, but nitrogen gas has been the subject of intense litigation since Alabama became the first state in the nation to begin using it in early 2024.—
Abigail Brooks,
NBC news,
12 June 2026
-
The store is 8,000 square feet with plenty of options to choose from as far as merch goes, including jerseys, Funko Pops, soccer balls and more.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
12 June 2026
Verb
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An education tent will provide free education and resources regarding topics from deciphering Title IX to end-of-life care and self-advocacy.—
Sophie Lindberg,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2026
-
Armed with an adventure kit, participants are summoned to a secret location where they’re tasked with deciphering cryptic codes, uncovering hidden symbols, navigating shifting alliances and outwit enemies and operatives stationed around the campus.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Over the course of several interviews over the past month, Charlotte-area parents described child care not as a normal consumer decision but as something closer to a strategic campaign involving timing, networking, luck, financial compromise and backup plans layered on top of backup plans.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
11 June 2026
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Police said the gunfire erupted after a foot chase and assault involving two rival groups at the festival, according to WTOL 11.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Of note, recognizing these concerns, the commission voted in December 2025 to establish an ad hoc Governance Committee to review all governing documents and create policies and procedures to allow the pension commission to fulfill its fiduciary duties.—
Helen I. Bennett,
Hartford Courant,
8 June 2026
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Presented by The American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League, the Tony Awards are considered the most prestigious honors in theater, recognizing excellence across acting, directing, design and more.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
8 June 2026
Verb
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The ranking awards companies dedicated to the development and provision of workplace technologies, encompassing both software and hardware and covering areas such as HR technology, workforce management, employee experience, learning and development, and workplace operations.—
TIME Staff,
Time,
9 June 2026
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But our style is motivated by encompassing not only the business side of health care but the patient focus as well.—
Sarah Mupo,
STAT,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Another project, Grasp-MPC, focused on robotic grasping in cluttered environments.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
28 May 2026
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Lovebugs are vegetarians who feed on pollen and nectar and lack the speed, the jaws and grasping legs to catch and slaughter a mosquito.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Comprehending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comprehending. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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