1
as in to crack
to change (as a secret message) from code into ordinary language
we deciphered the hidden message to find out when we were supposed to meet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to understand
to have a clear idea of
a convoluted thriller, the plot of which I was never able to actually decipher
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 decipher
Players will have to decipher a puzzle with clues from another player.
—
Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
The clicks are part of a growing sperm whale phonetic alphabet that researchers at CETI are deciphering.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 26 Mar. 2026
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, scientists identified the virus, deciphered its secrets, concocted a vaccine, put it into production, and rendered the disease manageable – all within a year.
—David Blumenthal, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2026
Before diners are even seated, a quirky focal point is bound to elicit oohs and aahs, and many, many wandering eyes trying to decipher the meaning.
—Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decipher
Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
The clicks are part of a growing sperm whale phonetic alphabet that researchers at CETI are deciphering.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 26 Mar. 2026
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, scientists identified the virus, deciphered its secrets, concocted a vaccine, put it into production, and rendered the disease manageable – all within a year.
—David Blumenthal, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2026
Before diners are even seated, a quirky focal point is bound to elicit oohs and aahs, and many, many wandering eyes trying to decipher the meaning.
—Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decipher
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decipher
Verb
-
Clad in all black, James and the band cracked wise onstage with a brash, swashbuckling attitude, led constant clap-alongs, and took multiple sojourns into the crowd — and that was just during the first song.—
Daniel Kohn,
Rolling Stone,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Its brunch menu features a variety of fun bites, sides and mains, such as Avocado Toast Flights; Wake and Gravy Poutine; and the Trenton Porkroll Benny made with two poached eggs, cracked pepper and melted cheddar over potato pancakes.—
USA TODAY NETWORK,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Clark said college students entering the job market today have to understand how to analyze and connect information across many disparate disciplines.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Researchers will also compare piRNA levels in blood with levels inside tissues to better understand how these molecules function.—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Kahalzadeh calculated if only 30% of the 10 million to 12 million jobs at risk are actually lost, that still translates to approximately 3 million to 4 million jobs—representing a 15% labor market contraction and the largest decline in Iran’s modern history.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The recent spike in voter interest for Becerra, 68, has also translated to a surge in financial support from small donors, said Bustamante.—
Linh Tat,
Daily News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Los Angeles police said Burke, 21, who is known by the name D4vd, is being held without bail, and the case will be presented to the District Attorney’s Office on Monday.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
There’s a large homeschooling population, and, about fifteen miles from downtown, a Catholic organization runs a property affectionately known as Catholic Familyland—a cross between a summer camp and a retreat center.—
Emma Green,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Palace created little, with a functional midfield failing to break the lines and play balls in behind a defence that was comfortable sitting relatively deep.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert’s bid for a fifth DPOY award — which would break a record — will continue for at least one more year.—
Tim Reynolds,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Kim Il-hyeok struggled to comprehend how after 10 years of planning, his brother only lived to see 19 months of freedom.—
Mike Valerio,
CNN Money,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Tabarrok cited a quote by the Italian philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli, that new things are harder to comprehend than old ones, even if the new ones might be better.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The technical side of YouTube creation may not seem as exciting to creators, but decoding the algorithm can also help with achieving sustainable results and growing an audience.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Calibration ensures that quantum processors are correctly tuned, while decoding helps identify and correct errors that occur during computation.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Sophisti-pop In 2005, when the singer Niia Bertino was seventeen, she was recognized as one of the top high-school jazz singers in the country.—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Additionally, we have been recognized for our equitable maternity care by the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC) and the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN).—
MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center,
Oc Register,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decipher.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decipher. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
