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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Recent Examples of understand
Burial is understood as a final act of care—gently returning the body to the earth from which it was formed.
—
Rabbi Moishe Kievman, Sun Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026
This helps riders understand what the vehicle is doing instead of guessing.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Her goal is to improve the health of our community through easy-to-understand facts and real people's stories.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 27 Jan. 2026
But Buckley-McNabb understands the Zee-Bees, like herself, are a work in progress.
—Bobby Narang, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for understand
Rabbi Moishe Kievman, Sun Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026
This helps riders understand what the vehicle is doing instead of guessing.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Her goal is to improve the health of our community through easy-to-understand facts and real people's stories.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 27 Jan. 2026
But Buckley-McNabb understands the Zee-Bees, like herself, are a work in progress.
—Bobby Narang, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for understand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understand
Verb
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X-ray data revealed that the black hole is accreting material at roughly 13 times the Eddington limit, placing it among the fastest-growing black holes known at this mass scale.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Jan. 2026
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Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips.—
Abigail Van Buren,
Boston Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In the Arctic, leadership means recognizing that Greenland is not a curiosity or a punchline.—
Paul McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
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Even smart organizations that do listen to customers often fixate on willingness to pay, rarely questioning what shapes it or recognizing its limits.—
Esade Business & Law School,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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At the core of this approach is a carbon shell derived from covalent organic frameworks (COFs).—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Jan. 2026
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Skinny Pedro’s obsession might therefore derive from some sort of insanity.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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And only by comprehending the Star Eaters will Ro also comprehend his part in their potential destruction.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Jan. 2026
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The sky served up no shortage of spectacle in 2025 —from lunar liaisons, solar prominences and fleeting meteor showers, to aurora and nebula scenes that unfold on a scale almost too massive for the human mind to comprehend.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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But this can be tricky to decipher without a medical degree.—
Korin Miller,
Flow Space,
21 Jan. 2026
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So, the thinking went, every costume, prop, and line reading is there for a reason, infinite symbolism scattered across the frame for anyone determined enough to decipher it.—
Lane Brown,
Vulture,
17 Dec. 2025
Verb
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It’s been a year since Brown decided to skip college and turn his eyes onto the professional game.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
24 Jan. 2026
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With Antetokounmpo sidelined, the Bucks could decide to pivot into more of a youth movement and let losses organically begin to pile up.—
Bryan Toporek,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
DiCaprio's enthusiasm in the clip was appreciated by fans.—
Julia Moore,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
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From gentle cleansers to serums that tackle fine lines and wrinkles, all ages (even my 20-something self) would appreciate her picks.—
Kaitlin Clapinski,
InStyle,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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His body was laid in state not far from the Spanish Steps — thousands queued over the two days to bid their farewells to the designer, the first, and in many ways the only, Italian to break into French haute couture back in Fifties, a postwar epoch when things like that were thought impossible.—
Guy Martin,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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You'd be forgiven for thinking that money might be playing a role here.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Understand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understand. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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