as in knowing
to have a clear idea of
failed to cotton on to the fact that her senatorial campaign was going nowhere
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cottoning (to or on to)
Verb
-
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 -
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Quick hits Cornerback Chau Smith-Wade, who is seeing time at safety, blitzed Pickett for a would-be sack during 11-on-11 work.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
11 June 2026
-
As the top marketing and strategy officer for Lumen Technologies, Ryan Asdourian never tires of seeing his company’s name atop the Seattle Seahawks stadium, Lumen Field.—
Les Carpenter,
Washington Post,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
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
Verb
-
Another project, Grasp-MPC, focused on robotic grasping in cluttered environments.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
28 May 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Above and beyond, make this a period for living in the moment and appreciating the beauty that the universe is offering you.—
Kyle Thomas,
PEOPLE,
7 June 2026
-
Defined‑benefit pensions gave way to 401(k)s; long‑term care remained largely uncovered; tax and housing policy rewarded holding onto appreciating property rather than making room.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
7 June 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Cottoning (to or on to).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cottoning%20%28to%20or%20on%20to%29. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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