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
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 comprehending
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
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
-
The key to making the right decision is understanding all your options beforehand.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
His perspective positions the next wave of transformation not around deeper analysis, but around autonomous action, systems capable of understanding situations, deciding optimal responses, and executing those responses in real time.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The couple, who did not grow up knowing one another because of estrangements in their families, faced criticism from both sets of parents for the union.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Another resident, Carolyn Reeves, said not knowing if the annexation would bring in commercial or residential development raises suspicion.—
Elizabeth Campbell,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Hornets made two interceptions, including one by Koa Akui, the team leader with five picks.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The farm in the mountains south of Fayetteville grows nine different varieties of lettuce, including red and green varieties of Bibb, Oakleaf and Sweet Crisp lettuces, romaine, arugula, kale, bok choy, microgreens, as well as herbs like basil, thyme and oregano.—
Cristina LaRue,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Dreams are a concept that humans have been fascinated with deciphering for thousands of years.—
Hannah Yasharoff,
USA Today,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Though historians have called for further research before making claims, the proposal of a script rooted in sign language might open the chance to explore a new way of deciphering Mayan art and show the ancient civilization to be even more sophisticated and efficient than scholars even knew.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
There were two deadly shootings in Middlesex County, New Jersey, just hours apart this weekend, both involving teenagers.—
Katie Houlis,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Readers send Miss Manners not only their table and party questions, but those involving the more complicated aspects of life - romance, work, family relationships, child-rearing, death - as well as philosophical and moral dilemmas.—
Judith Martin,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
On the whole, higher limits offer better protection, so recognizing the differences in coverage between minimum requirements and real-life needs can inform better decision-making in this regard.—
Ethan M. Stone,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) has announced the nominees for its 2026 Outstanding Achievement Awards, recognizing excellence in feature films, documentaries, television and music videos.—
Brande Victorian,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The first volume cast a wide net, encompassing iconic composers from Brazil (Jobim), Chile (Violeta Parra), and Argentina (Piazzolla), with Venezuela conspicuously not represented.—
Andrew Gilbert,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The line that seems to be encompassing people’s feelings about the finale comes from Max in one of her final scenes in the series, as the final D&D campaign comes to a close.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Friends and family will often counsel against making such a weighty decision in the midst of emotional turbulence, not grasping that a profound sense of misalignment is what is feeding the turbulence in the first place.—
James Marcus,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Still, Valentini managed to rise as a fashion authority for her talent in grasping gaps in the market and putting new names on the radar of Italian customers.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Comprehending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comprehending. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share