DECODE Synonyms: 71 Similar and Opposite Words

decode

verb

(ˌ)dē-ˈkōd

Definition of decode

as in to decipher

to change (as a secret message) from code into ordinary language the agents worked into the night to decode the intercepted message from the enemy spy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to understand

to have a clear idea of I was never able to decode the strange relationship that existed between those two people

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 decode The data is received by an external headpiece and sent to a separate processor for decoding. — Shannon Cuthrell, IEEE Spectrum, 20 Aug. 2026 And there is something satisfying in tracking clues and decoding references. — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026 After 11 camp practices, the Bears are still trying to decode the mystery for what kind of player Wills can be this season. — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026 Worse still, the messages can be encoded such that a human trying to figure out what is going on will be unable to decode the sneaky digital traffic. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for decode

Recent Examples of Synonyms for decode

Verb

These documents that make up your pathology report are important for guiding your treatment but can be difficult to decipher on your own.

— Nicole Pajer, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
And navigating a website might involve deciphering images or knowing what links to click.

— Jennifer D. Kobrin, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of decipher

Verb

By studying who farts more, who farts less and how flatulence changes with diet, researchers aim to understand how microbes respond to different foods and why some people can tolerate high-fiber diets comfortably while others struggle with gas.

— Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
Scientists have long sought to understand the link between climate change and El Niño.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of understand

Verb

The death came as the festival endured another year with weather woes, including rain on Friday that temporarily closed a main gate to festival grounds known as Black Rock City.

— Dennis Romero, NBC news, 5 Sep. 2026
As the commission moved toward a vote on the plan, there was a certain resignation among the ballroom skeptics, who knew that they were outnumbered.

— Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of know

Verb

For Siby, who is originally from Ivory Coast, the scale of the loss was impossible to comprehend.

— Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026
Such agreements are typically reached after psychologists conclude that severe mental disease or defect caused a defendant not to comprehend that his or her conduct was wrong.

— Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of comprehend

Verb

The opinion team should have recognized that his biased anti-Israel position was not relevant to the subject of his commentary.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2026
Alas, for all of his brilliance, Miguel struggles to recognize the emergence of his own paranoia, let alone to identify its source.

— David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of recognize

Verb

Barclays projects that palm oil, coconut oil, and rubber could rise by 30% to 40% over the next 18 months, coffee could see an additional 20% to 30% surge, and rice could increase by a further 10% to 20%.

— , CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Authorities initially said Saylor’s mother reported that her child had wandered off from a rental home in Hagley Estates in Pawleys Island and was last seen wearing her swimsuit.

— Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of see

Verb

Max Fletcher, Cincinnati’s second-team All-Big 12 punter, lined up in the backfield in the second quarter of a 34-15 victory, ran a wheel route and made an 8-yard grab on fourth down — a play special teams fans everywhere had to appreciate.

— Manny Navarro, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
The tell-like-it-is prose of Swanson is refreshing and appreciating to read.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of appreciate

Browse Nearby Words

decocts

decode

decoded

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Style

“Decode.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decode. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of decode

verb

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