COMPREHENDS Synonyms: 95 Similar and Opposite Words

comprehends

verb

present tense third-person singular of comprehend

as in understands

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

as in knows

to have a practical understanding of it took me a while to comprehend algebra

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in encompasses

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 comprehends In an oppositional reading of a media text, the audience comprehends that the message conflicts with or contradicts their personal experiences of society. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 May 2026 In the end, A Guardian and a Thief is a story that comprehends hunger more deeply than the world that produces it. — Tope Folarin, The Atlantic, 8 Nov. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for comprehends

Verb

People are complicated, and Juno Temple understands the character well enough to embody Keeley’s contradictions and make sense of them, most of the time.

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2026
A student who understands the course content should be able to demonstrate that understanding regardless of the evaluation method.

— Neetu Arnold, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of understands

Verb

The honor recognizes recognizes filmmakers whose bodies of work have made significant contributions to contemporary cinema.

— Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026
Hamm also created the Harold Hamm International Prize for Biomedical Research in Diabetes, which recognizes and promotes lasting achievements in diabetes research.

— Sydney Lake, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of recognizes

Verb

The president’s financial disclosure covering July includes five additional purchases tied to healthcare facilities or systems.

— Luke Fountain, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
The class also includes Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Oasis, Sade, Luther Vandross and Wu-Tang Clan.

— Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of includes

Verb

Qualcomm’s chip can run Linux, along with Arduino software, and can even do computer vision, which deciphers what a camera sees and translates it into software.

— Kif Leswing, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2025
With that base knowledge and his opponent’s game tape, Nolan analyzes wide receiver alignments and deciphers the offense's attack.

— Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 18 Sep. 2025

Definition of deciphers

Verb

The simple website contains a page that names the seven defendants in Jane Doe’s suit and contains blank boxes that indicate that photos of them will be uploaded —and potentially pages for the men who are facing accusations.

— Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 28 Sep. 2026
Further back, an open, airy great room with pocketing glass doors opening to the backyard contains a fireside living room, casual dining area, and kitchen outfitted with white oak cabinetry, two islands, and a walk-in pantry.

— Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of contains

Verb

Andersen sees energy storage, which would allow for continual energy supply even when the wind isn’t blowing, as the wind sector’s next big opportunity.

— Sam Birchall, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
In her review of the exhibition, critic Aruna D’Souza sees this resemblance as a blind spot in the show’s curation.

— Tina M. Campt, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of sees

Cite this Entry

Style

“Comprehends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comprehends. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of comprehends

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

regimen

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes