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 lawsuit claimed Thompson knew about the investigation as early as October 2023 and sold 31% of his company shares. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 14 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 Graham knew that saying forever didn’t necessarily mean forever, and that the result of that promise snapping could break a family irreparably. — Asha Iyer, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026 Afghanistan was still a conservative society shaped by years of conflict, and students knew that certain questions could be misunderstood, draw unwanted attention or upset teachers and classmates. — Fatima Faizi, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026 And Stephen is, of course a professional, and totally knew the tune. — Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026 The lawsuit does not say whether the Handlers or Beadleston knew that the work had been stolen when it was sold in 1999. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 14 Aug. 2026 Neither of them knew how much work lay ahead, and Don was a perfectionist, scribing each new board to fit as snugly as a puzzle piece against the irregular stone walls. — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 13 Aug. 2026 One page, on paper, taped inside the front cover of a book, written before anyone knew the full answer and precisely because nobody did. — Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for knew

Verb

These types of conversations help teens feel understood and strengthen trust, while uncovering more about what is really driving the desire to change up their look.

— Liz Regalia, Parents, 10 Aug. 2026
No one in the nuclear industry really understood the massive technological advancements made in oil drilling within the last 10 to 20 years, Baltzer told Fortune.

— Jordan Blum, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of understood

Verb

Rural locations showed little change, while cities outside the path — even those that experienced a very deep partial solar eclipse — did not display the same seismic pattern.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
One of the show’s consultants had experienced a similar loss, and their insights helped the writing staff find dramatic resonance.

— Maureen Lee Lenker, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of experienced

Verb

Greece designated Olympus its first national park in 1938, and the mountain has long been recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

— Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
The two sides were deadlocked over which would control the peninsula until Kissinger recognized that Egypt’s core interest was sovereignty and national pride while Israel’s was security.

— Matt Waldman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of recognized

Verb

Now, two years after her death, Elder's presence is felt on BTS's current world tour thanks to her mom, Jamie Elder, and BTS’ global fandom, known as Army.

— Nidhi Singh, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
The Maumelle High student-athlete initially felt something odd when putting the helmet on but continued practicing, Davis said.

— Devon Henderson, New York Times, 12 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

This Monaco friendly will also offer an indication of the fitness levels of key players Jack Rudoni, who underwent shoulder surgery in late April, and Haji Wright.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Prechtel gets run With Stokes out with a concussion and smallball five Salaun dealing with a sore knee, the Valkyries’ center rotation underwent a major overhaul.

— Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026