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 However, if the judge doesn’t lean their way, LCDS argued that victims still can’t argue that the school knew the images existed or intentionally helped facilitate their spread, which the school thinks should be fatal. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026 During that time, Welch knew the woman and her daughter had expired tourist visas but faked a variety of records to convince them otherwise. — Jonathan J. Cooper, Fortune, 31 July 2026 The College Murders is a four-part Prime Video docuseries that tells the story of the 2022 killings through the eyes of those who knew the victims best. — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026 The search warrants don’t say whether Elliott knew Kuester dealt drugs in Boone, which hosts Appalachian State University. — Julia Coin updated July 31, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026 Considering Banks’ filmography spans 50 years and includes Breaking Bad’s assortment of highly celebrated villains, Dalton knew the weight of such a statement. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2026 Antosca always knew the finale would return to the Bowdens’ backyard. — Jp Mangalindan, Time, 31 July 2026 Most people Leslie and Charlie knew said the couple made an odd match. — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2026 Sellers also urged investigators to reexamine another woman who knew Chavez. — J.d. Miles, CBS News, 31 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for knew

Verb

Thomas Jefferson, that most infuriatingly complex of our nation’s founders, understood this.

— Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 26 July 2026
Manufacturers often continue specifying virgin materials because their performance is well understood, while comparable data for recycled alternatives remain limited.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 26 July 2026

Definition of understood

Verb

Holmes has served as a Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), or someone appointed by a judge to act in the best interest of children who’ve experienced abuse or neglect.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026
People who experienced persistent financial struggles were slower to process information and showed memory recall decline by middle age.

— Julie Z. Weil, Washington Post, 27 July 2026

Definition of experienced

Verb

OpenAI last week made national headlines by announcing a $20 billion data center complex near Savannah that already had its local approvals in order, leaving few barriers for the tech giant to clear.

— Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 28 July 2026
The bathroom had two large sinks, a waterfall shower, and a delightful soaking tub that offered unobstructed views straight to the water.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026

Definition of had

Verb

The free festival blends nationally recognized performers, local artists, youth musicians, international food, art and community activities into a celebration of the people and traditions that have shaped American music.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
Anthropic said the earliest incident of its models breaching another organization was from April, and that none of the organizations recognized they had been hacked.

— Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 31 July 2026

Definition of recognized

Verb

Villa felt Roma were leading the pursuit of Garnacho this summer, though Emery pushed to convince the player to move to the Midlands.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 22 July 2026
An inaudible heartbeat reverberates through the space at a frequency below human hearing, producing vibrations that can be felt by those standing nearby.

— Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 21 July 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

None of the 26 patients who underwent robotic surgery had to be converted to an open procedure, and surgeons achieved clear margins in each case.

— Martha Ross, Mercury News, 30 July 2026
At the hospital, Goldsmith underwent a life-saving procedure tying bands around his veins.

— Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 30 July 2026