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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Recent Examples of knew
Collaery said Duggan was unaware of Su Bin’s hacking operations and knew him at the time as an employment broker for a Chinese state aviation company.
—
Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 26 Feb. 2026
An Hour-Long Fight Yields Massive Surprise The moment the bite came, Kenny knew this was different.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026
Maybe the audience knew that was just too big of a whopper.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
People knew what was happening.
—Dallas Morning News, 25 Feb. 2026
My parents knew such generosity, warmth and care in Khartoum that even bombs could not convince them to leave.
—Yousra Elbagir, Time, 25 Feb. 2026
Going in, Moskau knew nothing about Hoodoo.
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 25 Feb. 2026
None of us knew what to expect the first time.
—Terry Terrones, HollywoodReporter, 25 Feb. 2026
Hwang knew all too well that the results were anything but reassuring.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 18 Feb. 2026
Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 26 Feb. 2026
An Hour-Long Fight Yields Massive Surprise The moment the bite came, Kenny knew this was different.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026
Maybe the audience knew that was just too big of a whopper.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
People knew what was happening.
—Dallas Morning News, 25 Feb. 2026
My parents knew such generosity, warmth and care in Khartoum that even bombs could not convince them to leave.
—Yousra Elbagir, Time, 25 Feb. 2026
Going in, Moskau knew nothing about Hoodoo.
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 25 Feb. 2026
None of us knew what to expect the first time.
—Terry Terrones, HollywoodReporter, 25 Feb. 2026
Hwang knew all too well that the results were anything but reassuring.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 18 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knew
Verb
-
Even when plans are understood, retrogrades can require rescheduling due to factors beyond our control, so keep your calendar flexible.—
Annabel Gat,
Vogue,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The tariffs case must therefore be understood as a warm-up act in the fight to preserve the core of American democracy, rather than the main event.—
David Pozen,
The Atlantic,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Earlier this month, when Charlotte experienced back-to-back winter storms with 11 inches of snow recorded across the city, restaurants had to close.—
Tamia Boyd,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Aurich in turn added three assistants experienced in working alongside him, including edge rushers coach Roy Manning.—
Mitch Sherman,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Ruggeri says that, in comparison to saw palmetto, which gets far more attention.—
Adam Hurly,
Robb Report,
19 Feb. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Conrad and returning all-league left fielder Kai Cesare had diving catches that saved multiple runs for San Clemente.—
Michael Huntley,
Oc Register,
25 Feb. 2026
-
White scored 18 first-half points, and Queta had 10, helping the Celtics withstand both Brown’s absence and Pritchard’s off shooting night.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Social media addiction is not recognized as an official disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which is the standard reference psychiatrists and other mental health practitioners use to assess and treat patients.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Many of those songs have become rock standards, recorded and re-recorded by a variety of artists — songs instantly recognized and hummable.—
Oline Cogdill,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The space felt like a chic beachfront apartment, with a generous kitchen, airy living room with a television, spa-like bathroom with a tiled shower and a big soaking tub, and plush king bed.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Feb. 2026
-
But there will be an absence, one that has been felt at every national team camp since last July, which unites them more than any personal ambition.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 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
-
Last week, Vonn underwent reconstructive surgery to address multiple fractures in her left leg and experienced complications due to a compartment syndrome diagnosis.—
Mia Fishman,
CNN Money,
23 Feb. 2026
-
The elephant, of course, is Anthony Volpe, who underwent shoulder surgery in October.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Knew.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knew. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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