1
as in agreement
an arrangement about action to be taken
the tenants came to an understanding with the landlord that they would be able to renew their leases for the same rent
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in appreciation
the knowledge gained from the process of coming to know or understand something
a social observer with a deep understanding of the problems that the nation's cities face in the 21st century
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in compassionate
having or showing the capacity for sharing the feelings of another
a kind and understanding teacher who often helps troubled students
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in deriving
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
2
as in knowing
to have a practical understanding of
I think I understand how an engine works now
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in deciphering
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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of understanding
Margaret MacMillan, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
This issue can’t just be fixed entirely The BBC stories about the error-prone AI have often seemed to lack understanding of how the Apple Intelligence notification summaries work—for example, in suggesting that all users received the offending notification about Mangione.
—Ars Technica, 7 Jan. 2025
Maria Pasquini, People.com, 22 Oct. 2024
This rather suspenseful arc feels right out of Dickens’ Oliver Twist with a mean Fagin-like boss, Albert (Stephen Graham), evil Beryl (Kathy Burke) and more understanding Jess (Mica Ricketts), the latter luring him into the group.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for understanding 
Noun
But that understanding has now been breached, with the seizure by Russia of parts of Ukraine and the recognition by the U.S. government of Israel’s claims to sovereignty over the Golan Heights taken from Syria.
—Margaret MacMillan, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
This issue can’t just be fixed entirely The BBC stories about the error-prone AI have often seemed to lack understanding of how the Apple Intelligence notification summaries work—for example, in suggesting that all users received the offending notification about Mangione.
—Ars Technica, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
Although the internet isn’t always the most understanding place, the majority of commenters took her side.
—Maria Pasquini, People.com, 22 Oct. 2024
This rather suspenseful arc feels right out of Dickens’ Oliver Twist with a mean Fagin-like boss, Albert (Stephen Graham), evil Beryl (Kathy Burke) and more understanding Jess (Mica Ricketts), the latter luring him into the group.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for understanding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understanding
Noun
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Over the past four years, Trump’s thoughts on boosting America’s icebreaker industrial base grew into a full-fledged international agreement.Craig Hooper, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
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The Toronto Blue Jays reached an agreement on the 2025 salary for star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on Thursday, ahead of the deadline for teams and players to avoid salary arbitration.Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Offer perks like additional sessions or complimentary digital guides as a way to show your appreciation and keep the momentum going.Sho Dewan, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
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Their mutual appreciation for craft was instilled by their grandmother, Dagmar, a tailor, who taught them the importance of looking at the details.Talia Abbas, Vogue, 30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The Power Of Radical Self-Awareness Reinvention begins with an honest, compassionate self-examination.Mark Protus, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
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Deputy Paul Martin was beloved by his colleagues and known for his compassionate nature, Schwarz said.George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
Noun
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And the rule-setting trade pacts Trump detests could fuel this trend.Evan A. Feigenbaum, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
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The pact, first reported by the YES Network’s Jack Curry, includes an invitation to big league camp.Gary Phillips, Hartford Courant, 3 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The researchers determined that framing the gender gap in political leadership as an outcome of men's overrepresentation—such as emphasizing that 71% of Congress is male rather than noting that 29% is female—elicited greater anger among women and heightened perceptions of injustice.Kim Elsesser, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
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The stark shift in perception began right away, in the weeks following what was rightly called the most serious attack on U.S. democracy in well more than a century.New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The group embarked on an unprecedented wave of terror that included assaults, lynchings, and rapes predominantly against African Americans, but also against white people accused of being sympathetic to the 1870 election results and federal Reconstruction policies.Brittany Friedman / Made by History, TIME, 6 Jan. 2025
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The next judge, Hollis will find, won’t be as sympathetic.Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2025
Verb
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This summer is likely to be a key point in deciding his future — the two-year mark is usually when clubs either renew a contract or move on a player to maximise possible earnings.Gregg Evans, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
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Be sure to consider this factor when deciding whether or not to convert all or part of a traditional IRA.Bob Carlson, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The wildly successful chipmaker unveiled a tiny desktop device called Project DIGITS at this year’s convention that’s potent enough for the complex operations required to run and train AI models.Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 10 Jan. 2025
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In this early example of auto-fiction, Mishima offers a poetic analysis of his sentimental education as a young man whose sadomasochistic gay fantasies clash with the conventions of his upper-class upbringing.Ian Buruma, The New Yorker, 9 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near understanding
Cite this Entry
“Understanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understanding. Accessed 15 Jan. 2025.
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