RECOGNIZE Synonyms: 99 Similar and Opposite Words

recognize

verb

ˈre-kig-ˌnīz

Definition of recognize

as in to understand

to have a clear idea of finally recognized that we were hopelessly lost

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Green still appears to be recognized as the Crown Jewel champ, but Stratton sure sent a message by taking those material items from her. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026 For the indie-rocker, the record is about recognizing the face in the mirror and making peace with the eyes looking back at you. — Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 7 Nov. 2026 And, thanks in part to advances in AI, there are now a ton of apps around that can recognize human speech, turn it into digital text, and present you with a transcription—almost in real time, in some cases. — David Nield, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2026 The pleasure may be in recognizing that this part of you never quite disappeared. — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 7 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for recognize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for recognize

Verb

The reflection also provides a pragmatic framework for understanding why honest communication is not just a moral choice, but a functional necessity in any communication process.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Nov. 2026
Shaq kicked off the four-stop tour in September to help the Gen Z crowd understand the importance of a healthy FICO score.

— Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of understand

Verb

The annual award recognizes the top high school football player in Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe counties, honoring not only athletic excellence but also leadership, character, academics and sportsmanship.

— CBS News, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
The best way to honor Veterans Day is to take President Eisenhower’s admonition to heart and work for peace in the future, resolving that, henceforth, Americans will have to serve only in wars where America’s vital interests are truly at stake.

— The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of honor

Verb

There is something so beautiful about loving someone through every season of their life … Kenny, one of the greatest gifts of my life has been getting to know you through all your different chapters.

— Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2026
The 'gold standard' Grading companies verify a card’s authenticity, assess its condition and seal it in a protective plastic case, known as a slab.

— Matthew Tan, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of know

Verb

After Jackie, the celebrity bald eagle in Big Bear Lake, died, the Ojai Raptor Center that cared for her posted a video thanking people for their support.

— Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026
Come April in Detroit, will a championship-winning coach have to thank his local circuit judge along with his administration?

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of thank

Verb

Salas-Altès hopes to continue working to decipher the 280 engravings, as well as to understand the history of human presence in the cave.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 5 Nov. 2026
Bahdanau was working with artificial neural networks, which had already shown promise in pattern-recognition tasks such as deciphering handwriting and identifying objects in photos.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of decipher

Verb

In a series of videos posted across social media, Basabe can be seen raising his voice, holding his cellphone in people’s faces and engaging in tense conversations while campaigning.

— Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026
And provided the House flips Democratic, Republicans could see a procession of impeachment trials for Cabinet members — and perhaps even the president.

— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of see

Verb

Understanding how these elements work together can help homeowners read and comprehend their tax bills and better plan for one of the biggest ongoing costs of owning a home, next to the mortgage payment.

— Elizabeth Jane Beckett-Camarata, The Conversation, 30 Oct. 2026
Infinite Jasons • MacNamara is so far from comprehending the box that his Jason looked utterly bored by his questions.

— Scott Tobias, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of comprehend

Verb

Vishal hopes his daughter will grow up appreciating both cultures, with celebrations like these helping keep her family's heritage alive.

— CBS News, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
Even if your not a typical spa goer, all will appreciate the heated all-year round Alpine Spa Pool, where the infinity-edge melts into the lake and sky.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of appreciate

Browse Nearby Words

recognizances

recognize

recognized

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Style

“Recognize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recognize. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of recognize

verb

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