Synonym Chooser

How is the word understand distinct from other similar verbs?

The words appreciate and comprehend are common synonyms of understand. While all three words mean "to have a clear or complete idea of," understand and comprehend are very often interchangeable, with understand sometimes stressing the fact of having attained a firm mental grasp of something.

orders that were fully understood and promptly obeyed

When is it sensible to use appreciate instead of understand?

The synonyms appreciate and understand are sometimes interchangeable, but appreciate implies a just evaluation or judgment of a thing's value or nature.

failed to appreciate the risks involved

Where would comprehend be a reasonable alternative to understand?

Although the words comprehend and understand have much in common, comprehend may stress the process of coming to grips with something intellectually.

I have trouble comprehending your reasons for doing this

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 understand The company plans to release additional scientific findings to help the broader research community understand frontier AI systems. Dave Smith, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025 The dog recognizes that something is amiss, but isn’t capable of understanding what’s really bothering Todd. Peter Debruge, Variety, 3 Oct. 2025 Leaders go on regular listening tours around the country to better understand what those workers need. Aman Kidwai, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025 Financial institutions are talking about their investments in efforts to understand the risk facing their clients. Justin Worland, Time, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for understand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understand
Verb
  • The next manager will be their sixth in nine seasons — enough for any sensible person to know that the problem extends far beyond that chair.
    Sam Blum, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Horror fans often travel to destinations featured in scary movies or known for spooky legacies.
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Tennessean photo journalist Andrew Nelles was recognized with a first place award in environmental photography by the 2025 Green Eyeshade awards for a collection of photos documenting the impacts of Hurricane Helene, which ravaged parts of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina.
    Nashville Tennessean, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Oct. 2025
  • The lessons cover how to recognize online exploitation, what steps to take if a friend needs help, and how to use reporting tools effectively.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Most originated in Asia and are derived from Paeonia lactiflora.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Reuters reported that membership in the GenZ 212, which derived its name from Morocco’s area code, has soared in recent days—jumping from 3,000 last week to 130,000 on Thursday.
    Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • This loss is especially difficult to comprehend.
    Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Jaime Marsh, from Florida, is still struggling to comprehend what happened to her husband, Chris, on Saturday, August 23.
    Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Qualcomm’s chip can run Linux, along with Arduino software, and can even do computer vision, which deciphers what a camera sees and translates it into software.
    Kif Leswing, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Its strong first-week performance suggests there is, in fact, an audience hoping to decipher the mind of Ye all of these years later.
    Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Others believed Los Angeles should have put the deciding play in quarterback Matthew Stafford's hands.
    Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • When seeking to prosecute someone, a state attorney can file charges against them or choose to present evidence before a grand jury, composed of citizens who then must decide whether there is probable cause to issue an indictment and move to a trial.
    Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Real estate typically appreciates, which adds to the homeowner’s wealth.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Learning about applications of research with visible societal impacts can help people understand and appreciate the role of funding in the scientific enterprise.
    Ryan Summers, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The hairs on the back of the neck still stand up now when thinking of the post-match celebrations after David Seaman’s penalty save dumped out Spain in the quarter-finals.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Because nothing lifts your spirits like discovering somebody on the other side of the world who thinks like you — or, even better, sees things in an entirely different way.
    The Dial, The Dial, 7 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Understand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understand. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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