KNEW Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

knew

verb

Definition of knew

past tense of know

as in understood

to have a practical understanding of a career diplomat who knows several languages a fan who really knows baseball

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in experienced

to come to a knowledge of (something) by living through it knows full well how nerve-racking it can be to speak in public

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in saw

to have a clear idea of I think I know what you're trying to say

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 knew Crump, the family’s attorney, cast doubt on the notion that Wells may have drowned – saying the teen was a strong athlete and knew how to swim. — Holly Yan, CNN Money, 11 July 2026 State officials claim these corporations knew about the extreme dangers. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 10 July 2026 But Bogenpohl stayed put, and the decision surprised few of the people who knew him best. — Latif Love july 10, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026 After all, the Warriors and the wider NBA world knew that those three are already rotation-caliber players. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 9 July 2026 Before the world knew him as Austin Powers or the voice behind Shrek, Mike Myers spent five years as an SNL cast member from 1989 to 1994. — Emily Kelleher, InStyle, 9 July 2026 Filming wrapped in May 2025, and as early as the fall of that year, the studio and Gillespie knew the movie wasn’t working. — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 3 July 2026 At that point, Bobrovsky knew his seven-season run in South Florida, one that included winning a pair of Stanley Cups, was over. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026 Rice knew immediately that Warsh would go on to do something special. — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 3 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for knew

Verb

It isn't completely understood how ibogaine works, but scientists know ibogaine affects the brain’s reward and pleasure system.

— Gavin Escott, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Security is now understood as a personal risk structure, not merely a job title.

— Henrik Totterman, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026

Definition of understood

Verb

The Aragon, which later generations experienced mainly as a shabby, sticky home for loud rock music, was once the North Side’s hub for romance, where young men and women came in droves to dance to mellow music in an elegant atmosphere.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026
But the sector has experienced heavy volatility in recent weeks as questions begin to emerge about the sustainability of AI demand.

— Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 13 July 2026

Definition of experienced

Verb

Over the last few weeks, the 76ers have had several conversations with James’ representation, led by Rich Paul.

— Tony Jones, New York Times, 14 July 2026
The Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition said the young man who was killed was authorized to work in the US and had a social security number.

— Caroll Alvarado, CNN Money, 14 July 2026

Definition of had

Verb

Charles Birnbaum, president of The Cultural Landscape Foundation, said his nonprofit was recognized as a Section 106 consulting party about the fencing in April, but has not been invited to any meetings about it.

— Rachel Treisman, NPR, 16 July 2026
Hayward and Bienvenue also recognized that their stories had been shortened for the show, so audiences did not see all of the necessary context for their engagement.

— Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026

Definition of recognized

Verb

That number was felt most in the line to get in, which stretched for several daunting Queens blocks, giving the Spring Awakening open call a run for its money.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 14 July 2026
The mash-fest seems to fit the streamer’s sweet spot of entertainment-heavy sporting events, though if anything, its presentation of the derby felt surprisingly subdued in comparison to past spectacles.

— Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 14 July 2026

Definition of felt

Verb

Its successor script, Linea B, was also a mystery until it was deciphered in 1952 by an amateur linguist and cryptographer Michael Ventris with the help of classicist John Chadwick, both building on patterns in the script first identified by classicist Alice Kober.

— Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 23 June 2026
The signature was deciphered with the help of AI, and specialists at auction house Lyon & Turnbull were able to confirm that Cadell was the artist.

— Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 20 June 2026

Definition of deciphered

Verb

Of course, when Netflix underwent some turbulence a few years ago, the company also made a lot of bold moves in response, such as the aforementioned addition of an advertising tier, and those actions ultimately calmed investors’ nerves.

— Josef Adalian, Vulture, 16 July 2026
Lopez underwent another brain surgery to remove the second part of his lesion.

— Mary Ella Hastings Updated July 16, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026