1
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
Relevance
2
as in to know
to have a practical understanding of
I think I understand how an engine works now
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of understand
To understand how the deportation dragnet works, TIME joined ICE officers on a pair of morning raids in the New Orleans area.
—
Eric Cortellessa, Time, 10 June 2025
Harry, who fully understands how love should look and move, and only uses that as a shield to his real self?
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 9 June 2025
Both Wong and Barratt understand the assignments here.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 30 May 2025
This includes understanding existing skills, power structures, decision-making processes, and how change has been received historically.
—Andrew Mawson, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for understand
Eric Cortellessa, Time, 10 June 2025
Harry, who fully understands how love should look and move, and only uses that as a shield to his real self?
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 9 June 2025
Both Wong and Barratt understand the assignments here.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 30 May 2025
This includes understanding existing skills, power structures, decision-making processes, and how change has been received historically.
—Andrew Mawson, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for understand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understand
Verb
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Flag football is categorically different, but the rules and play are derived from the game of football.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
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The $265,000 grant is derived from the Department of Industrial Relations, which receives state funding.—
Molly Gibbs,
Sacbee.com,
12 June 2025
Verb
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Brandon Galli-Graves, Staff Attorney at Justice Action Center, said that the organization does not know how DHS will conduct immigration enforcement toward beneficiaries of the program.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
13 June 2025
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As someone who lost their father before doing Top Chef and knowing the fire that can ignite someone going into this competition is unattainable.—
Buddha Lo,
People.com,
13 June 2025
Verb
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Their relations date back to Pakistan's founding amid the United Kingdom's partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947, with Iran being the second nation after the U.K. to recognize Pakistan's independence.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 June 2025
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This new list will recognize the world’s leading higher education institutions based on academic performance, student outcomes, and the institutional learning environment.—
TIME Staff,
Time,
20 June 2025
Verb
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And if the Iranians decide to expand this, then that's ultimately their decision.—
Hannah Demissie,
ABC News,
22 June 2025
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Large groups of protesters and others drawn to the chaos decided to vandalize cars, buildings, and assault police as part of the demonstrations in Los Angeles.—
Megan Schrader,
Denver Post,
22 June 2025
Verb
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Algorithmic Literacy encompasses comprehending how AI systems process information, make decisions and generate insights — not as programmers.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
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Celestial events held tremendous significance throughout much of human history, in a way most 21st-century minds can scarcely comprehend.—
Cody Cottier,
Discover Magazine,
13 June 2025
Verb
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Sometimes, Tarhan explained, women will flip the cups over and try and try to decipher the meaning left behind by the coffee sediment — kind of like reading your fortune in tea leaves.—
Samantha Husted,
Charlotte Observer,
12 May 2025
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Finally, Ross helps boost your energy intelligence to decipher when rest requires slowing down and when it’s achieved by accelerating in a new, reinvigorating direction.—
Serenity Gibbons,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
Verb
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For schools and service providers, this means thinking beyond enrollment.—
Botir Nasridinov,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
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But some demographers think the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown might mean these gains are short-lived.—
Jennifer Smith Richards,
ProPublica,
13 June 2025
Verb
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The yen has appreciated almost 8% against the dollar in the past 12 months.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
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Parents will also appreciate the show’s thoughtful design: the characters use age-appropriate language, the action is non-violent and imaginative, and the episodes emphasize important social-emotional skills such as communication, responsibility, and friendship.—
Hannah Nwoko,
Parents,
16 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Understand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understand. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.
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