1
as in to know
to have a practical understanding of
I think I understand how an engine works now
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to recognize
to have a clear idea of
after a few weeks in Russia I began to understand the language a little bit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to derive
to form an opinion or reach a conclusion through reasoning and information
as I understand it, this is the best plan that we have
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of understand
Kohlman, a fourth-year starter, understood what that meant for her.
—
Bobby Narang, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
Still, Americans don’t really understand these policies.
—Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
Williams understands that trying to master both athletics and the arts at the same time can be challenging, both for young people and their parents.
—Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
The role of arbitration is key to understanding class counsel’s motion.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for understand
Bobby Narang, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
Still, Americans don’t really understand these policies.
—Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
Williams understands that trying to master both athletics and the arts at the same time can be challenging, both for young people and their parents.
—Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
The role of arbitration is key to understanding class counsel’s motion.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for understand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understand
Verb
-
Instead, a system known as PURL has been established, whereby NATO and Europe fund weapons purchases urgently needed by Ukraine, such as Patriot missiles (which can shoot down Russian ballistic or cruise missiles that target cities).—
Trudy Rubin,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
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A lot of these fishing tournaments are won by these younger anglers that really haven’t studied the body of water, don’t know it like the older fishermen, but are still extremely successful with the new technology.—
Mike McFeely,
Twin Cities,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Lopez will be recognized at a May 20 luncheon in Sacramento during California Classified School Employees Week.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
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Until recently, history has largely recognized this foolish law as a New Deal mistake.—
Stephen Moore,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Other standouts include bamboo extract, which shields hair from temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, and the brand’s B-Pro3 bond technology, a complex derived from chia seeds that can help protect hair from future damage.—
Sarah Felbin,
Allure,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The sandwiches derive their names from the city’s streets.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Soviet officials initially remained in denial; unable to comprehend the gravity of the situation and desperate to contain the bad publicity.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
26 Apr. 2026
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Antoinette McGarrahan, a clinical psychologist, appears to have concluded that severe mental disease or defect caused Omondi not to comprehend that his conduct was wrong.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In corporate news, luxury conglomerate and industry bellwether LVMH reported quarterly sales that missed expectations on Monday as the sector begins to decipher the fallout from the war in the Middle East and its impact on stocks.—
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
14 Apr. 2026
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The researchers then deciphered certain traits that were linked to the habit.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That April, Valerii decided to sell his Moskvitch in Kyiv.—
Lizzie Johnson,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
-
By the time Claudia Martínez added a fourth in the 75th minute, Audi Field was buzzing, the result long decided.—
Asli Pelit,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Reds manager Terry Francona has appreciated his hitters’ early-game discipline.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Both moms and dads alike appreciate the reprieve with their children.—
Megan Shinn,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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And clearly, the Broncos did not think enough of the tight ends to be aggressive.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
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Those three weeks were bliss — not thinking about Spurs, not thinking about football, just getting on with life.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Understand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understand. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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