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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cottoning (to or on to)
Verb
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Rip currents are formidable natural forces, but knowing how to react can significantly increase your chances of safely navigating these challenging waters.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Oct. 2025 -
Best to go into the film not knowing.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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While most of these asteroids pose little threat, understanding their trajectories is crucial for assessing potential impact probabilities.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
8 Oct. 2025
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Experts called the findings critical to understanding autoimmune diseases such as Type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.—
Jessica Coacci,
Fortune,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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Now, a team of international astronomers has succeeded in deciphering the gravitational wave signal, GW190412, to determine more about the collision and the resulting event that sent an infant black hole hurtling through space.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In May 2023, Kamari honored her dad by recognizing the motorcycle accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
8 Oct. 2025
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Team principal Andrea Stella said that recognizing the drivers’ emotions in such moments would help McLaren’s understanding and possible resolutions for the future.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Bushman found that sense of victimization is unique to American culture and the current generation’s addiction to media, while seeing little connection to low self-esteem in the attackers.—
John Scott Lewinski,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Oct. 2025
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The wildlife group checked on the koala, but seeing no signs of distress, left it to its own devices, according to the outlet.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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The decision led to his being wiped during summer league, a good example of a player having his heart in the right place without fully grasping the consequences.—
Dan Woike,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
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Deputy Thomas Zajac, first on the scene, found Heskett kneeling in the grass near the park’s Old Mill Trail, grasping a pocketknife protruding from his abdomen.—
Andi Babineau,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Our expert, Tom Gideon, gave them a great review, appreciating their comfortable fit and bright sound.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
7 Oct. 2025
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Everybody’s appreciating it for its filmic quality.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Oct. 2025
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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 11 Oct. 2025.
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