deciphers

verb

present tense third-person singular of decipher
1
as in translates
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 understands
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 deciphers 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 My body no longer deciphers its signals correctly. — Alaa Alqaisi august 13, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deciphers
  1. translates
  2. understands
  3. breaks
  4. knows
  5. decodes
  6. recognizes
  7. cracks
  8. comprehends
Verb
  • The quality of writing, directing, and performance in our productions is at a level that translates across mediums.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Nathan Timmer of the protest group Geef Tegengas, a phrase that translates as Push Back, told local broadcaster AT5 that protesters were occupying the site in an effort to stop construction.
    — Mike Corder, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of translates
Verb
  • Additional pressures In reaching her own historic milestone as the first Black woman to pilot a spacecraft, Proctor understands that a historic moment like this carries not just incredible significance but a fair amount of personal pressure as well.
    — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Still, Taiwan understands Washington’s determination to strengthen domestic semiconductor production and is willing to support that effort.
    — LIN CHIA-LUNG, Foreign Affairs, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of understands
Verb
  • Boise proper is reliably blue, and the rest of the county typically breaks red.
    — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Her victory ends Patrick's 12-year tenure in the position and breaks the Republican Party's decades-long control of one of the most powerful offices in Texas government.
    — Digital Producer, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of breaks
Verb
  • Anyone who knows more was asked to contact LASD's Arson and Explosives Detail general line at 323-881-7500.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Anyone who works with multiple monitors knows the pain of having cables cluttered chaotically around their desk.
    — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of knows
Verb
  • The app also features an AI chatbot called the Miles Mechanic that decodes warning lights, tells you how urgent a fix is, and estimates repair costs.
    — Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, The Verge, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Behind the scenes, the command decodes the hidden address, downloads a remote script and sends it directly to the Mac's Z shell for execution.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of decodes
Verb
  • The Paley Honors Award recognizes landmark contributions to and enduring impact on the media industry, and its gala will feature a special tribute celebrating each honoree’s distinguished career and creative legacy.
    — Laura Zornosa, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Now in its 13th year, the initiative recognizes rising talent across the screen industries, offering year-round career support, mentorship, networking opportunities and full BAFTA membership.
    — Anna Tingley, Variety, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of recognizes
Verb
  • But the real reason this outing cracks the list isn’t simply the six touchdowns.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
  • When that foundation cracks, every other part of life begins to shift with it.
    — Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of cracks
Verb
  • 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, 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
Definition of comprehends

Browse Nearby Words

deciphering
deciphers
decision
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Deciphers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deciphers. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of valorous

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

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

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

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

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
woman sitting on floor holding book in front of her face on pink background
Famous Novels, Last Lines Quiz Needless to say, spoiler alert.
See All