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cottoned (to or on to)

verb

past tense of cotton (to or on to)
as in understood
to have a clear idea of failed to cotton on to the fact that her senatorial campaign was going nowhere

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cottoned (to or on to)
  1. understood
  2. knew
  3. deciphered
  4. recognized
  5. saw
  6. comprehended
  7. grasped
  8. appreciated
Verb
  • However, its more fundamental influence on biology has remained poorly understood, researchers say.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The arrival ceremony suggested that others understood the communicative potential of clothes at such an event, too.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of understood
Verb
  • The masked suspect who fatally shot a beloved barber while trying to steal his handmade Miami Cuban bracelet outside a Queens strip club ran off empty-handed, but left those who knew the victim with an unfathomable hole in their hearts.
    — Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The group knew that for many listeners outside Japan, this wouldn’t simply be a new single.
    — Crystal Bell, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of knew
Verb
  • Re-creating the Herculaneum scrolls To date, one entire scroll and passages from others have been deciphered, largely thanks to the Vesuvius Challenge, a project launched in 2023 that encourages researchers to decode scrolls for cash prizes.
    — Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Uncertainty notwithstanding, the longevity world has glommed onto the notion that the vaginal microbiome is some kind of exotic tealeaf that can be deciphered—and perfected by purchasing the right supplements.
    — Sarah DiGregorio, Vanity Fair, 27 July 2026
Definition of deciphered
Verb
  • The farm provided the courts and CFIA with nothing that either institution recognized as serious science.
    — J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
  • From fashion and design to food and manufacturing, Italian excellence is recognized and admired all over the world.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of recognized
Verb
  • In the book, Covey tells the story of a man relentlessly sawing down a tree.
    — Tony Gambill, Forbes.com, 2 June 2026
  • Jordan Walker, sawed off by a 96 mph sinker, lined out softly.
    — Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 19 Apr. 2026
Definition of saw
Verb
  • The polling points to the enduring legacy of 9/11, even as many Americans today are too young to have experienced or comprehended the event a quarter-century ago.
    — Linley Sanders, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The frames keep changing regardless of how much the viewer has noticed or comprehended.
    — Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
Definition of comprehended
Verb
  • When visiting Ground Zero, Surdo said he was struck by the scale and the enormity of the destruction and the sulfurish smell, which were two things that couldn’t be grasped by seeing the site on television.
    — Andis Robeznieks, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Ashton Daniels, who started his career at Stanford and then appeared in four games at Auburn last season, has quickly grasped the offense, according to every testimonial delivered by teammates and FSU offensive coaches since the spring.
    — Andre C. Fernandez, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of grasped
Verb
  • And some simply appreciated the gesture and the opportunity to have the conversation.
    — Marvin Krislov, New York Daily News, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Teachers also appreciated meeting in small groups focused on recognizing their emotional needs.
    — Paul Koh, Baltimore Sun, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of appreciated
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.

Browse Nearby Words

cottoned (to)
cottoned (to or on to)
cottoning (to)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cottoned (to or on to).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cottoned%20%28to%20or%20on%20to%29. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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