1
as in derives
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 knows
to have a practical understanding of
I think I understand how an engine works now
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in recognizes
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 understands
Bayard, though admitting to gaps in his own reading, sees familiarity with literature as a means of orienting yourself intellectually, whereas Adler understands a student as merely a sedentary receptacle.
—
Literary Hub, 21 May 2026
The Operational Bottleneck In Intake Centers Anyone working with intake centers understands the challenge of operational capacity.
—Arnold Sotelo, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Ali understands Shakespeare’s brilliance lies in the malleability of his works.
—Juan A. Ramírez, Vogue, 20 May 2026
The stock reaction is a clear signal the market understands this to be the case as well.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 20 May 2026
Miss Manners understands the provocation.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
Peace returns when everyone understands what is being shared.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2026
The director understands immediately.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 13 May 2026
Its aching heart understands that a full moon of brilliant perfection can illuminate one of the most painful moments of your life.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
Literary Hub, 21 May 2026
The Operational Bottleneck In Intake Centers Anyone working with intake centers understands the challenge of operational capacity.
—Arnold Sotelo, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Ali understands Shakespeare’s brilliance lies in the malleability of his works.
—Juan A. Ramírez, Vogue, 20 May 2026
The stock reaction is a clear signal the market understands this to be the case as well.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 20 May 2026
Miss Manners understands the provocation.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
Peace returns when everyone understands what is being shared.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2026
The director understands immediately.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 13 May 2026
Its aching heart understands that a full moon of brilliant perfection can illuminate one of the most painful moments of your life.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understands
Verb
-
In the United States, more than 40 people are being monitored for the Andes virus, a type of hantavirus, which derives from rodents.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
-
The Kayak Point name derives from a small area being carved out to launch a potential access point on Salt Creek for kayaks and canoes.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Chelsea Handler knows consistency is key!—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
23 May 2026
-
As anyone who’s been on one knows, lengthy road trips can be a trying experience.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
By giving T cells a CAR that recognizes one of a couple of molecules unique to the B cell surface, the cells are reprogrammed to find and eliminate those cancerous cells.—
Amber Dance,
ArsTechnica,
17 May 2026
-
Unifrance’s 10 to Watch initiative, launched in 2014, recognizes rising French film talent — and the org works to boost their visibility beyond France.—
Ben Croll,
Variety,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
The hospital decides not to airlift Roberta (Paola Núñez), who quickly becomes an emergency case when Camille (Natalie Zea) determines that her aneurysm has ruptured.—
Britt Hayes,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 May 2026
-
When the story is not fully developed before a company decides to sell, potential buyers start asking hard questions.—
David Chapman,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
In an oppositional reading of a media text, the audience comprehends that the message conflicts with or contradicts their personal experiences of society.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
5 May 2026
-
In the end, A Guardian and a Thief is a story that comprehends hunger more deeply than the world that produces it.—
Tope Folarin,
The Atlantic,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
As heavily shorted stocks rise, Cramer thinks investors betting against them may be forced to buy shares back — a dynamic known as a short squeeze that can accelerate gains even without a major change in fundamentals.—
Alexa LoMonaco,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
-
Everyone thinks fat stores are just these passive blobs of tissue that hang off your body.—
Eileen Finan,
PEOPLE,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Their offerings often focus on high-quality ingredients and a refined aesthetic, catering to a clientele that appreciates premium cosmetics.—
FMG Studios,
Footwear News,
20 May 2026
-
Robert Godfrey of Clearwater, Florida, appreciates having choices.—
Sarah Kwon,
CBS News,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Major medical groups generally support gender-affirming care for children with ongoing gender dysphoria – distress caused by the difference between a person’s internal sense of gender and the way the world sees them.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
18 May 2026
-
Cegielski also sees those retailers that offer the best value and discounts as being most aggressive in rolling out new stores.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Understands.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understands. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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