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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of understanding
Sonari Glinton, NPR, 7 Jan. 2026
Trump seems to have arrived, on his own, at the same understanding of geography and politics that was pounded into the heads of Soviet schoolchildren, including Putin and me.
—M. Gessen, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Thanks to Comedy Central and South Park fans for being so understanding.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 19 Sep. 2025
Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2025
Men in the study reported higher average alexithymia scores—close to clinical thresholds—indicating more difficulty understanding their emotions.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for understanding
Noun
Their intimate understanding of what Black people wanted and needed – for their hair and for their lives – helped grow the Black middle class and became an engine for Black culture and power.
—Sonari Glinton, NPR, 7 Jan. 2026
Trump seems to have arrived, on his own, at the same understanding of geography and politics that was pounded into the heads of Soviet schoolchildren, including Putin and me.
—M. Gessen, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Thanks to Comedy Central and South Park fans for being so understanding.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Thanks to Comedy Central and South Park fans for being so understanding.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
By better understanding its environment, the robot can more effectively perceive and navigate the cluttered and complex interior of the reactor, avoiding obstacles and locating work areas.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2025
Men in the study reported higher average alexithymia scores—close to clinical thresholds—indicating more difficulty understanding their emotions.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for understanding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understanding
Noun
-
The agreement includes bipartisan bills worked out by the Senate Appropriations Committee to fund parts of government — food aid, veterans programs and the legislative branch, among other things.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
10 Nov. 2025
-
There’s near-universal agreement from all kinds of housing observers that the affordability crisis is one of (non)-supply and demand.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
In a statement, Young expressed appreciation for the restaurant’s place in the city.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
9 Jan. 2026
-
As a result, your return depends entirely on price appreciation.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Stable housing, economic supports, safe communities, inclusive policies, supportive workplaces, and compassionate classrooms are not abstract ideals.—
Scott LoMurray,
Time,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Vulnerable Chiron is rolling forward in your 10th House of Authority, prompting you to reshape your path by transforming past criticism into practical, compassionate leadership.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Resolve this by walking your own path (literally) and deriving support from people who are capable of caring about you.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
5 Dec. 2025
-
Thomas is charged with human trafficking, while Robertson is charged with human trafficking, transporting a person from out of state into the state for human trafficking, branding in relation to human trafficking, deriving support from proceeds of prostitution, and battery.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
25 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The couple, who did not grow up knowing one another because of estrangements in their families, faced criticism from both sets of parents for the union.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Another resident, Carolyn Reeves, said not knowing if the annexation would bring in commercial or residential development raises suspicion.—
Elizabeth Campbell,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Dreams are a concept that humans have been fascinated with deciphering for thousands of years.—
Hannah Yasharoff,
USA Today,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Though historians have called for further research before making claims, the proposal of a script rooted in sign language might open the chance to explore a new way of deciphering Mayan art and show the ancient civilization to be even more sophisticated and efficient than scholars even knew.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The goal of the pact is to strengthen military capabilities in the Pacific, aiming to promote deterrence and stability in a region that has seen a major buildup by China.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Nov. 2025
-
On the video side, Amazon this year has been busy signing up DSP partners, inking recent pacts with Netflix, Disney and Roku for programmatic ad sales.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The sight of encampments and people in the throes of psychosis in the streets drives perceptions of lawlessness and danger, studies show.—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
-
In just a number of months, voters will head to the polls for midterms, the first nationwide test for Democrats following their across the board defeat in 2024, itself partly due to perceptions that the party was too far to the left.—
Douglas Schoen,
Oc Register,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Understanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understanding. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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