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 state’s rebuttal witness testified that Hinton was grieving and angry but knew his actions were wrong. — Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026 After all, very few people outside of the inner A24-Fielder-Oppenheim circle knew anything about it before its shock Telluride screening. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026 However, Bitdefender emphasized that this does not establish that the company created the malware or knew about its presence. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026 Baimbridge knew right away that something was up; Ennesser usually texted or e-mailed. — Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026 Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, former teammates and all who knew and loved him. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026 Merced County District Attorney Nicole Silveira said the motive in the killing was personal, and that the Salceda and Becerril knew each other. — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 By Candlelight When taking on this film, Potier, who is French, knew the stakes. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026 One major question surrounding the issue is what NSU knew about Newell, a 2023 graduate of the college prep school affiliated with NSU and is often referred to as USchool. — Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for knew

Verb

Its scientists understood the future of digital photography, but the company could not bring the right product to market.

— Rick Lazio, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
My abuser understood the power of words, and used them to dictate the terms of my obedience.

— Debbie Millman, Time, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of understood

Verb

Today, it is widely known that coal miners of the 19th and early 20th centuries experienced ruthless exploitation and hazardous working conditions.

— Marcus Librizzi, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026
The bank ultimately experienced more than $40 billion of deposit outflows on March 9, 2023; management actually projected that requests would exceed $100 billion the following day.

— Erik Clarke, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of experienced

Verb

Drew Doughty had a goal and two assists, and Artemi Panarin added a power-play goal and an assist as the Kings beat the New York Rangers 6-3 on Monday night.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
When presented with the findings, the Republican National Committee said the party hasn’t had enough time to fix the affordability crisis inherited from Democratic leadership.

— Amy L. Wong, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of had

Verb

Electricity has been Fazio’s signature issue in the campaign, and he is recognized as one of the legislature’s leading authorities on the issue as the ranking senator on the energy and technology committee.

— Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 28 Oct. 2026
Since 2021, the Gotham Awards has recognized performers in gender-neutral categories.

— Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of recognized

Verb

The display recognizes a fear that has lingered in immigrant families, and a loss felt far beyond them.

— CBS News, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
Still, Flávio Bolsonaro presented a stark choice that for many environmentalists felt would put the Amazon and Brazil's overall environmental protections at risk.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of felt

Verb

But a more apt comparison might be the Mirabilia Urbis Romae, in which Medieval scholars deciphered the staggering ruins of Classical Rome.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2026
Re-creating the Herculaneum scrolls To date, one entire scroll and passages from others have been deciphered, largely thanks to the Vesuvius Challenge, a project launched in 2023 that encourages researchers to decode scrolls for cash prizes.

— Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026