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
Everyone knew what was coming—mass layoffs.
—
Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2026
O’Connor proves herself up to the task by eschewing the traditional cradle-to-grave narrative, peppered with interviews with those who knew the protagonist.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 4 Feb. 2026
After his first meeting with Allen during the interview process, Macdonald knew this was the job for him.
—Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
But the kid brother knew what to do.
—Dave Lieber, Dallas Morning News, 4 Feb. 2026
There were only two other people in the castle who knew how to play, and only one was super interested, and that was Rob.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026
Scientists already knew this could be a doozy.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 4 Feb. 2026
Jimmy’s journey from loss to finding himself and love again was based on someone Lawrence knew in real life.
—Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
This scenery—bodegas, funeral parlors, pizza shops—was the only kind of nature Twin knew and loved.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2026
O’Connor proves herself up to the task by eschewing the traditional cradle-to-grave narrative, peppered with interviews with those who knew the protagonist.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 4 Feb. 2026
After his first meeting with Allen during the interview process, Macdonald knew this was the job for him.
—Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
But the kid brother knew what to do.
—Dave Lieber, Dallas Morning News, 4 Feb. 2026
There were only two other people in the castle who knew how to play, and only one was super interested, and that was Rob.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026
Scientists already knew this could be a doozy.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 4 Feb. 2026
Jimmy’s journey from loss to finding himself and love again was based on someone Lawrence knew in real life.
—Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
This scenery—bodegas, funeral parlors, pizza shops—was the only kind of nature Twin knew and loved.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knew
Verb
-
It must be understood that historical references to this team are like prompts on an online dating profile — not under any circumstances to be taken seriously, but a fun jumping off point.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The complication is not well understood but appears to be the result of the virus prompting the immune system to attack a certain protein that some brain cells produce.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Anyone who has experienced a sound bath will recognize how quickly rhythmic sound and vibration can induce a sense of calm.—
Chloe Burcham,
Vogue,
5 Feb. 2026
-
In a 2020 study, participants who followed a ketogenic diet experienced significant reductions in waist and hip circumference and total body fat percentage, without reducing their calorie intake.—
Bret Scher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Feb. 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
-
Princess Mette-Marit Epstein had dozens of email exchanges with Mette-Marit, the Crown Princess of Norway, as recently as 2014.—
Erin Mansfield,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The 83-year-old senator has had multiple health issues over the past few years, including publicly freezing during a press conference in 2023 and falling ahead of a Senate vote in October 2025.—
Lillian Metzmeier,
Louisville Courier Journal,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The names dotting Laguna Beach’s starting lineup Friday weren’t as familiar as last season but their skill and understanding of movement leaped from the pool to be recognized.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
7 Feb. 2026
-
He has been featured in the news and gets recognized by people in the business.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Vying for a parking spot on a crowded city street after a snowstorm has long felt like going to battle, and now there's a harrowing twist.—
Jessica Mekles,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The days since the raid on Maduro’s compound have felt slow and difficult, according to one woman who saw the explosions from a distance with her boyfriend.—
CNN 9 hr ago,
CNN Money,
5 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
-
The bird underwent surgery and is recuperating.—
Alan Gionet,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Pretti provided care and comfort after Fouts underwent surgery to repair a descending aortic aneurysm, a bulge in the artery delivering blood from the heart to the rest of the body.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Knew.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knew. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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