1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

recognize

verb

ˈre-kig-ˌnīz How to pronounce recognize (audio)
Definition of recognizenext
1
as in to understand
to have a clear idea of finally recognized that we were hopelessly lost

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to honor
to show appreciation, respect, or affection for (someone) with a public celebration an awards banquet to recognize local heroes

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 recognize Wheat has been recognized by the FDA as one of nine major food allergens since Congress passed the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA). — Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2026 Long on enthusiasm, short on action Jeremy Hilton, an Air Force Academy graduate, recognized the extent of gaps in family care after becoming a full-time father and advocate for his daughter, who has special needs. — Anna Mulrine Grobe, Christian Science Monitor, 25 Sep. 2026 Check whether the timing works, recognizing that feedback lands best when the recipient is ready. — Hylke Faber, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026 Grounded in these ideas, our team developed a model that trains school staff to recognize and support students with physical and mental health concerns, while connecting them to additional services when needed. — Crystal Cederna, The Conversation, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for recognize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recognize
  1. understand
  2. honor
  3. know
  4. thank
  5. decipher
  6. see
  7. comprehend
  8. appreciate
Verb
  • For some reason--some great reason, that only the editors on the other side of the room understand--the reporters for at least the Democrat-Gazette's story (unlike some national outlets) decided to call Skip Rutherford.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Firms like Edward Jones and LPL Financial, meanwhile, are rapidly adopting AI tools to gain financial insights, but also to better understand and communicate with their customers.
    — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of understand
Verb
  • And while the brand continues to honor its heritage, Giraco said Dom Pérignon is always looking ahead and evolving.
    — Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Pingyao also honored Marco Müller and Han Sanping with the International Contribution to Chinese Cinema Award, and producer Tang Yan, founder of Hello Group, which owns social app Momo, with the 10th Anniversary Award.
    — Jenny S. Li, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of honor
Verb
  • The Pakistani Taliban, formally known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, is separate from but allied with Afghanistan's Taliban.
    — MUNIR AHMED, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Still, no one seems to know what to do when confronted by the real thing.
    — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of know
Verb
  • Fariala, who was not in Pingyao, sent a video thanking the festival and closed it by singing a folk song.
    — Jenny S. Li, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026
  • People thanking her for agreeing with them doesn't establish that her position is correct.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of thank
Verb
  • Romanoff sacrifices herself to retrieve the soul stone, and Nebula involuntarily connects with her past self—a connection used by a past Thanos to decipher the Avengers’ plan.
    — Michael McDonough, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of decipher
Verb
  • Just a kid yearning to be seen, one who’s been told that being seen means being beautiful and that being beautiful means being white.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Big caps were offering one of the most sumptuous cushions over bonds ever seen.
    — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of see
Verb
  • The resulting consequences to the information ecosystem are hard to comprehend, with Brown Brothers Media claiming to vacuum up tens of millions of views via their scheme.
    — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Ironically, sports uniforms at Eton are even harder to comprehend than the regular daily uniform.
    — Eva Wolchover, Vanity Fair, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of comprehend
Verb
  • Amid lagging sales, retailers marked down the figurines, alienating collectors who want to see items appreciate in value.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Unlike Paris or New York, which are exhibitionists and appreciate a certain voyeur, Milan, as Porter implied, resists a single definition.
    — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of appreciate

Browse Nearby Words

recognizances
recognize
recognized
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Recognize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recognize. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
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 heterodox

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

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

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Oct. 2

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List
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
image of the words cracker fly and sale arranged in a triangle with the word fire in the middle
Triple Play Quiz Find the word that pairs with each of the three g...
See All