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 studio knew how to attract attention and involve players in the development process. — Ian Shepherd, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 At the vigil for what would have been Wells’ 19th birthday on Wednesday, Sharpton said questions about what the friends knew and why the phone and keys were not immediately relinquished should be litigated. — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026 Keith Forsey, our producer, knew exactly what to do with us and our combination of personalities. — Devon Ivie, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2026 DeRenne, 47, never knew his great-grandfather, who died at age 81 in 1973. — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Most of the characters are amalgams of people who knew and worked with Bourdain, who died by suicide in 2018 at age 61. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026 Unions and their allied lawmakers knew that after boosting CHP pensions by as much as 50% retroactively, most other state and local agencies would follow suit. — Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 21 Aug. 2026 Authorities say the officers knew Stewart due to previous incidents at the same store, including one just two days before. — Dan Raby, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026 Seekins, a longtime Rush fan, knew right away that Lee was a long way from being ready. — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for knew

Verb

How these two investments caught fire can be understood in the context of several developments this week.

— Michelle Chapman, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2026
As American record companies had long understood, these made London an ideal launchpad for pop-culture trends.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of understood

Verb

Adames, who had an MRI on Monday, will miss more than 10 days, though manager Tony Vitello said the team is optimistic the veteran can return before the season ends in late September.

— Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
Iranian news agency Rokna reported that people in Tehran said some petrol stations had no gas available, forcing them to temporarily close, while other stations had long lines on Monday and Tuesday.

— Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of had

Verb

Many university students have turned the ROI factor into the pursuit of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) careers, and many of the top ranking schools were recognized for their STEM programs.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026
The attempt to rename the gulf, which has gone by the same name since the 16th Century, drew international opposition, and numerous media outlets vowed to stick with the common and internationally recognized usage.

— Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of recognized

Verb

Some Black shoppers, who felt alienated after Target’s 2025 DEI rollbacks, expressed fresh disappointment on Monday.

— Reuters, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
Yet the recent swirl of negative discourse around influencer culture has felt different, in part because hating influencers is no longer just a snarky internet pastime.

— Laura Jung, Vogue, 25 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

Definition of deciphered

Verb

Additionally, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, underwent a lung transplant in June after being diagnosed in 2018 with chronic pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable lung condition.

— Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026
Busy Philipps underwent two invasive surgeries this spring related to a malignant tumor in her brain.

— Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026