Definition of understandingnext
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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
The same three factors—reversibility, understanding and cost—decide every tier, every time. Karthik Kannan, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026 The data will help atmospheric physics and chemistry researchers improve their models to further our understanding of the potential damage the growing satellite industry might do to the planet and its climate in the future. Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 8 Sep. 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
Such research suggested that understanding behavior required studying how information was represented and processed mentally. Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 Sep. 2026 These geolocators also reveal the altitude of migratory flights, which is important for understanding the risk of birds colliding with buildings or wind turbines. Stephanie Szarmach, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for understanding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understanding
Noun
  • As part of the agreement, €3m went to Sint-Truiden, the club Suzuki spent a year at in the 2023-24 campaign before moving to Parma.
    Aston Villa, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Arianespace and Amazon Leo announced Wednesday an agreement at the International Space Summit in Paris for six additional Ariane 64 launches to continue deploying the Amazon Leo constellation into low-Earth orbit.
    Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • But somewhere along the way, consistency became sameness, and people don’t experience work or appreciation in the same way.
    Candy Fernandez, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026
  • But as a New York TV fixture since 1989, Burkett still feels the appreciation from viewers for his efforts.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The program, also known as compassionate use, is a regulatory pathway that helps dying patients get unproven drugs outside of a clinical trial.
    Gerry Smith, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026
  • While everyone else seemed to be compassionate and understanding, David sometimes was not.
    Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 10 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • In 1995, the death of 16-year-old John Marshall, who suffered a heart attack deriving from an undiagnosed condition known as arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, proved to be a line-in-the-sand moment.
    Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • There's no retrieval system for reusing institutional knowledge rather than re-deriving it.
    Imran Aftab, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Knowing what matters to 10 people is manageable; knowing what matters to 10,000 feels impossible.
    Candy Fernandez, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026
  • There’s always a fear of groping around in the dark; of not even knowing who to talk to.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 10 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • And navigating a website might involve deciphering images or knowing what links to click.
    Jennifer D. Kobrin, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The prevention of future pandemics relies on information from previous outbreaks, which is one reason why deciphering the origins of the COVID-19 began is important.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • In recent years, Canberra has also inked mutual defense agreements with Fiji and Papua New Guinea alongside negotiations for a similar pact with Tonga; deals with Tuvalu and Vanuatu restrict them from security cooperation with Beijing.
    Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The financials are also unmatched, with last year’s annual check to each franchise from 345 Park Ave topping $450 million from leaguewide deals, primarily driven by the NFL’s $125 billion in media pacts.
    Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 8 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • There’s no tangible title on the line in this one – there’s only perception.
    Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Quite the sobering commentary on society, but the next WNBA commissioner must understand the high-wire act of being in charge while combating the perception of not being warm enough.
    Candace Buckner, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Understanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understanding. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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