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 The suit alleges those employees knew the warehouse constructed on the property in 2022 would be used for fireworks storage and operations but did not enforce applicable safety and environmental requirements. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026 When the requests started piling up into the 100s, Vraa knew he on to something. — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 25 July 2026 Strawberry knew his number retirement ceremony — the honor of a lifetime — was just a few months away. — Tim Britton, New York Times, 24 July 2026 Just when things seemed too contentious and/or boring to a late-night viewer, Stewart knew when to jingle the keys in our face. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 24 July 2026 Nobody knew anything about LeBron James’ big decision except LeBron James and his closest inner circle. — Miami Herald, 24 July 2026 Heading into his fifth season as the head football coach at Colquitt County, Sean Calhoun knew the first game of the season was going to be challenging. — Mcclain Baxley For The Ajc, AJC.com, 23 July 2026 Brother Rice coach Sean McBride knew Cunningham was capable of coming through in the spotlight. — Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026 The character was a departure from what audiences knew her for and also brought her into more contemporary storylines. — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for knew

Verb

Thomas Jefferson, that most infuriatingly complex of our nation’s founders, understood this.

— Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 26 July 2026
Manufacturers often continue specifying virgin materials because their performance is well understood, while comparable data for recycled alternatives remain limited.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 26 July 2026

Definition of understood

Verb

Holmes has served as a Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), or someone appointed by a judge to act in the best interest of children who’ve experienced abuse or neglect.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026
People who experienced persistent financial struggles were slower to process information and showed memory recall decline by middle age.

— Julie Z. Weil, Washington Post, 27 July 2026

Definition of experienced

Verb

OpenAI last week made national headlines by announcing a $20 billion data center complex near Savannah that already had its local approvals in order, leaving few barriers for the tech giant to clear.

— Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 28 July 2026
The bathroom had two large sinks, a waterfall shower, and a delightful soaking tub that offered unobstructed views straight to the water.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026

Definition of had

Verb

Villa felt Roma were leading the pursuit of Garnacho this summer, though Emery pushed to convince the player to move to the Midlands.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 22 July 2026
An inaudible heartbeat reverberates through the space at a frequency below human hearing, producing vibrations that can be felt by those standing nearby.

— Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 21 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

That evening, Beretti underwent emergency surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach to treat a serious streptococcus infection, according to her complaint.

— Ella Moore July 23, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026
Its protagonist, Odysseus, played by Matt Damon, has also found himself in the spotlight due to the dramatic physical transformation the actor underwent to get into character.

— Anna Zucca, Vanity Fair, 23 July 2026