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 Even before Democrats knew the size of their incoming Senate majority, there was agitation from the left against keeping Chuck Schumer as the party’s leader. — Philip Elliott, Time, 6 Nov. 2026 In fact, his friend only sent it across to see if Marchetto knew of another designer who could take it up. — Bella Webb, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2026 As a public figure, Piker must show actual malice, meaning Jennings knew his claims were false or recklessly disregarded the truth. — Emma Witman, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2026 In a subplot wholly absent from the English cut, a royal procession reaches Rama’s humble hut, where Bharat — who knew nothing of the palace conspiracy to replace Rama as king — informs him of their father’s death. — Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 5 Nov. 2026 CIOs knew their vendors, understood licensing models and could plan around standard hardware refresh cycles. — Susan Odle, Forbes.com, 5 Nov. 2026 Researchers already knew that humans have a long history with cannabis. — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 5 Nov. 2026 Remo Ruffini always knew Moncler could be more than just puffer jackets. — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2026 The judge wanted to release him, but knew that he would be quickly picked up by ICE, his sister-in-law said. — Claire Healy, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for knew

Verb

Wilkinson argued that the growing relationship between energy and AI should be understood not simply as a way to automate industrial processes, but as an opportunity to expand human capabilities.

— Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026
As a Haitian Creole speaker, Bichotte Hermelyn understood that meaningful engagement requires communicating with neighbors in their own languages, including Chinese, Russian, and Urdu.

— Joey Saban, New York Daily News, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of understood

Verb

Codex pushes Git to its limits OpenAI’s monorepo experienced a sharp increase in development activity over the past year.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
For Sallam, the film grew out of a broader conviction that history is most powerful when experienced through individual lives.

— Essie Assibu, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of experienced

Verb

This also had a boat trip included, a lovely way to cool off after a day walking Barcelona’s lanes.

— Jaymi McCann, TheWeek, 3 Nov. 2026
According to the company, about 65,000 California Community College student accounts were impacted by data changes, roughly 1,000 were accessed and 400 had financial aid refunds taken out.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of had

Verb

It's now recognized as one of the first online predator cases in the country leading to child abduction.

— Lauren Linder, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
According to state prosecutors, Young looked at Ring doorbell footage after the first knock from the boys, and his daughter recognized one of them as a former classmate.

— Harllie Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of recognized

Verb

Even on a recent visit that fell over a spring break week, the place barely felt crowded, whether on the beach, by the 120-foot-long pool, or at the three open-air restaurants.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Nov. 2026
The then-44-year-old actor was sent to Reading Prison, a medium-security lockup, because authorities felt a minimum-security jail would have provided too easy access for reporters.

— Mark Kennedy, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of felt

Verb

But a more apt comparison might be the Mirabilia Urbis Romae, in which Medieval scholars deciphered the staggering ruins of Classical Rome.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2026
Re-creating the Herculaneum scrolls To date, one entire scroll and passages from others have been deciphered, largely thanks to the Vesuvius Challenge, a project launched in 2023 that encourages researchers to decode scrolls for cash prizes.

— Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of deciphered

Verb

Right-hander Ben Brown underwent cervical spine surgery Monday in New York to address the recurring neck ailment that ended his stellar season in mid-June.

— Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026
The loss came amid the absence of star wide receiver Malachi Toney, a Heisman Trophy frontrunner who underwent ankle surgery on Thursday.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2026