Definition of understandingnext
1
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

understanding

2 of 3

adjective

understanding

3 of 3

verb

present participle of understand
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3

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 understanding
Noun
One way to beat the crowds is to fly above the park, which provides an understanding of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem that's hard to achieve from the ground. Jesse Ashlock, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 July 2026 There is limited public understanding of how long that process can take. George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 14 July 2026
Adjective
At the command, my commanding officer was very understanding. Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 10 May 2026 Letting go of the camera metaphor could be a step toward better understanding how memory works. Gabrielle Principe, The Conversation, 5 May 2026
Verb
This tactical ideology is what gives Morocco an edge, understanding what works so well in Europe and adapting it to their player pool. Chris Evans, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026 Those worries make sense, and understanding how bird flu spreads and what to watch for is the best way to protect your flock and yourself. Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for understanding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understanding
Noun
  • The cities can either fight the lawsuits in court or reach agreements with the state that set court-enforceable deadlines for updating their housing elements.
    Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026
  • Jorge León, senior vice president at Rystad Energy, wrote in a note on Friday that a limited agreement between Washington and Tehran remained the firm's base case scenario, though confidence in that outcome had weakened.
    Sam Meredith,Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 17 July 2026
Noun
  • Danaher's standard price chart presents a picture of modest appreciation over the past decade, underperforming the S & P 500.
    Harvey Stober, CNBC, 16 July 2026
  • Youbi said the brand’s appreciation of great spirits is the heart of its success.
    Connie Ogle July 16, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
Adjective
  • The show featured the late Chief Judge Frank Caprio, who was known for his compassionate and humorous approach in the courtroom.
    Paul Edward Parker, The Providence Journal, 16 July 2026
  • Neill is great at balancing the aggro energy of Zane with his intellectual, compassionate style.
    Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 14 July 2026
Verb
  • Adoring the outcome means deriving joy from seeing the success of others.
    Chip Bell, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
  • But deriving a unified theory of volcanism will require a geologic Manhattan Project.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • The challenge is no longer finding new avenues for growth, but knowing which ones to pursue without repeating the gradual dilution that weakened the brand before.
    Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 16 July 2026
  • The men who get real value out of knowing their T levels aren’t the ones chasing a higher number.
    Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
Verb
  • Jonestown afflicted Naipaul’s vision, his way of deciphering not just political manias but the dreariness of urban life, the perpetual doom of the nuclear-arms race.
    Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 14 July 2026
  • In 2023, the Vesuvius Challenge made its first award for deciphering the first letters, and the following year, the project awarded the grand prize of $700,000 for producing the first readable text.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • Some analysts push back, saying a Libya pact bolsters US diplomatic efforts in Africa.
    Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 14 July 2026
  • Last year, Netflix struck a pact with Hasbro for the rights to Monopoly.
    Peter White, Deadline, 13 July 2026
Noun
  • These attacks have helped alter the perception of the war inside Russia and among the outside world.
    Ihor N. Stelmach, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026
  • The diseases that cause dementia can impair brain circuits involved in impulse control and threat perception, raising the risk of aggressive behavior.
    Jordan Rau, NPR, 19 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Understanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understanding. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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