prehension

noun

Definition of prehensionnext
as in comprehension

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 prehension Of these, the grasping, which will progressively disappear as voluntary prehension emerges around the age of 4–5 months, is of great interest. — Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 7 Oct. 2011 Prehension was seen as a key development for the USC/Belgrade Hand. — Jose Fermoso, WIRED, 26 Sep. 2008
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prehension
  1. comprehension
  2. conception
  3. perception
  4. understanding
  5. knowledge
  6. grasp
  7. apprehension
Noun
  • Now apply that to everything else that a student might do in an educational setting, from reading comprehension to reasoning to critical thinking to even making friends.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Because the underlying models are beyond the level of human comprehension, the only way to make models reliable and predictable today is to corral them with harnesses and other AI models that keep them in check.
    — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of comprehension
Noun
  • Beatrice, played by actual academic Anne-Laure Sellier, is a professor at Columbia whose work focuses on how historical conceptions of memory can inform present-day studies of the brain.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The move would have been difficult to imagine under the traditional conception of college sports.
    — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of conception
Noun
  • There’s no tangible title on the line in this one – there’s only perception.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Quite the sobering commentary on society, but the next WNBA commissioner must understand the high-wire act of being in charge while combating the perception of not being warm enough.
    — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of perception
Noun
  • Another key element to Rashford’s return has been his understanding with Shaw.
    — Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The Atlas promises to make the job of biologists and medical researchers considerably easier, potentially speeding up the understanding of genetic diseases and the hunt for possible cures.
    — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of understanding
Noun
  • But at this point, many SEC administrators would rather find out by getting a win or by losing and then moving forward with that knowledge.
    — Seth Emerson, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Most federal judges have little scientific knowledge or training.
    — Jed S. Rakoff, The New York Review of Books, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of knowledge
Noun
  • United’s head coach had a face like thunder post-match, and understandably so after his team allowed two points to slip through their grasp in the dying seconds.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • In the same way that the ball bounced off Darren Morris’ fingers and disappeared into the crowded Oregon bench, another chance to defeat a Power Four opponent slipped agonizingly through Boise State’s grasp on Saturday afternoon.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of grasp
Noun
  • Rachel Moser, 56, also was charged with hindering the apprehension of a fugitive and criminal use of a communication device.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Garnett previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit arson, tampering with evidence, hindering apprehension and abuse of a corpse.
    — Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of apprehension

Browse Nearby Words

pregnant
prehension
prehensions
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Cite this Entry

“Prehension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prehension. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on prehension

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about prehension

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of patina

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All