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 However, if the judge doesn’t lean their way, LCDS argued that victims still can’t argue that the school knew the images existed or intentionally helped facilitate their spread, which the school thinks should be fatal. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026 During that time, Welch knew the woman and her daughter had expired tourist visas but faked a variety of records to convince them otherwise. — Jonathan J. Cooper, Fortune, 31 July 2026 The College Murders is a four-part Prime Video docuseries that tells the story of the 2022 killings through the eyes of those who knew the victims best. — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026 The search warrants don’t say whether Elliott knew Kuester dealt drugs in Boone, which hosts Appalachian State University. — Julia Coin updated July 31, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026 Considering Banks’ filmography spans 50 years and includes Breaking Bad’s assortment of highly celebrated villains, Dalton knew the weight of such a statement. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2026 Antosca always knew the finale would return to the Bowdens’ backyard. — Jp Mangalindan, Time, 31 July 2026 Most people Leslie and Charlie knew said the couple made an odd match. — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2026 Sellers also urged investigators to reexamine another woman who knew Chavez. — J.d. Miles, CBS News, 31 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for knew

Verb

While these practitioners experimented, management thinkers articulated what the best of them already understood.

— Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Nevertheless, being understood matters more than being technically correct today.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of understood

Verb

Despite all this, Newport is best experienced like a local—and a Newport Airbnb is the best way to go about achieving this.

— Kelsey Mulvey, Vogue, 4 Aug. 2026
Since Thursday, Bitcoin owners who store their crypto with Coldcard, which offers a form of hyper-secure storage known as a hard wallet, have experienced four waves of thefts that have affected more than 5,200 individual addresses.

— Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of experienced

Verb

Kenya has until recently been widely recognized for rebuilding its elephant population from historic lows to more than 36,000 individuals by reducing poaching and protecting elephants.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
Travel + Leisure’s 2026 World’s Best Awards recognized several standout properties, with Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico, earning the top spot among international wellness retreats for more than a decade.

— Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of recognized

Verb

Tarik Skubal could have been wearing a Rays hat or a Brewers hat if either organization felt comfortable parting with prospects.

— Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
But with this hypothesis the siblings felt they had been given the freedom to dream for the first time—the very time a miracle might just happen.

— Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of felt

Verb

Uncertainty notwithstanding, the longevity world has glommed onto the notion that the vaginal microbiome is some kind of exotic tealeaf that can be deciphered—and perfected by purchasing the right supplements.

— Sarah DiGregorio, Vanity Fair, 27 July 2026
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