1
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
2
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
3
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
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of knew
Though their divorce was acrimonious, and the two were later involved in various legal proceedings, the source said that Clarkson knew the importance of her children’s relationship with their father.
—
Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 11 Jan. 2026
Authorities said the two teenagers knew each other, but did not provide further details on their relationship.
—Katie Houlis, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
About the fans who knew him prior to tonight and those who may know him a bit better now.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 11 Jan. 2026
That meant that neither the other competitors nor the series’ viewers knew who the Secret Traitor was, and the show didn’t give us any clues.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Jan. 2026
On the Napo, everyone knew him.
—Stanley Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
Morakinyo knew Johnson was the right guy to take the shot.
—Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
Prosthetics artist Mike Hill knew del Toro didn’t want a monster, but a character.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
Bledel was one of the only people who knew Agena's real age for almost three years (though Lane was 16, Agena was 27 when the show premiered).
—Anika Reed, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 11 Jan. 2026
Authorities said the two teenagers knew each other, but did not provide further details on their relationship.
—Katie Houlis, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
About the fans who knew him prior to tonight and those who may know him a bit better now.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 11 Jan. 2026
That meant that neither the other competitors nor the series’ viewers knew who the Secret Traitor was, and the show didn’t give us any clues.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Jan. 2026
On the Napo, everyone knew him.
—Stanley Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
Morakinyo knew Johnson was the right guy to take the shot.
—Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
Prosthetics artist Mike Hill knew del Toro didn’t want a monster, but a character.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
Bledel was one of the only people who knew Agena's real age for almost three years (though Lane was 16, Agena was 27 when the show premiered).
—Anika Reed, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knew
Verb
-
How gentle and precious to be understood.—
Julia Moore,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
-
In handing down the sentence, Montenegro said Bonillo understood the scope of his misdeeds, abused his position of trust and used that position to enrich himself while undermining CBP’s main goal.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Over the past year, CBS has experienced several controversies and new ownership that led to new leadership, which have some critics accusing the network of losing its credibility.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
-
So Skinny Pedro had experienced the pain of seeing his dream simultaneously realized and shattered.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
During the trial, jurors learned about grim Google searches Brian had made after his wife died, including how to saw a body and how to clean blood off of wood floors.—
Nicole Acosta,
PEOPLE,
18 Dec. 2025
-
Fanatics shared the moment Tennessee Titans first overall pick, quarterback Cam Ward, saw Brady pop up on the screen to give him some wise words.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Ewing never married or had children, but is survived by other family members, per Extra.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
-
The news and editorial staffs of the Orange County Register had no role in this post’s preparation.—
MemorialCare Medical Group,
Oc Register,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But state officials have previously recognized the lack of diversity in apprenticeship programs.—
Claire Rafford,
IndyStar,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Legislation in 2009 that extended self-government to Greenland also recognized a right to independence under international law, an option favored by a majority of Greenlanders.—
Stefanie Dazio,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Those who felt the quake are encouraged to report it through the USGS Felt Report form.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Park hailed the resilience of the community, and how residents organized block by block when there was no roadmap for recovery, and insurance and bureaucratic processes felt impossible to navigate alone.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The sun dances to its own (currently less-than-deciphered) rhythms, moving through an 11-year-long cycle.—
Sarah Scoles,
Scientific American,
10 Dec. 2025
-
At first this voice from the heavens has seemingly sent a benign message but it’s quickly deciphered to be a DNA cocktail for Earthlings to investigate.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
14 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
After her record-breaking performance at the 2022 Beijing Games, Masters underwent multiple reconstructive surgeries on her left hand.—
Sean Neumann,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Although he was waived at that time, Kawamura remained in Chicago and underwent the entirety of his recovery process with the Bulls medical team.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Knew.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knew. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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