understands

verb

present tense third-person singular of understand
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

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 understands Nolan understands it too, which is why The Odyssey still feels painfully modern. — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026 Advocates seek to change how the public understands embryos and, ultimately, how the law classifies them. — Risa Cromer, The Conversation, 17 July 2026 Former Norway goalkeeper Erik Thorstvedt understands the value of such an approach. — Don Riddell, CNN Money, 11 July 2026 And while this is going on, the kid’s father understands that maybe there is no place for his child as part of the first generation of Romanians that came after the fall of Nicolae Ceaușescu. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 10 July 2026 The best way to approach ChatGPT in this context is to think of it as a knowledgeable friend who understands the medical information. — Teresa Maalouf, Verywell Health, 10 July 2026 Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, will not attend any public events during her husband Prince Harry's visit to the United Kingdom, ABC News understands. — ABC News, 9 July 2026 Swain understands the hefty workload required to grow into this role. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026 While a simple search of the map wouldn’t reveal sensitive information, anyone who understands how websites request data could download unprotected personal information such as Social Security numbers without a username or password. — Luis Valentín, ProPublica, 9 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understands
  1. derives
  2. knows
  3. recognizes
  4. decides
  5. comprehends
  6. thinks
  7. appreciates
  8. sees
Verb
  • Today, approximately 85% of the kingdom’s GDP derives from the non-oil economy.
    — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 14 July 2026
  • Heritage, by comparison, derives its momentum from a much broader mix of categories, with everything from video games and trading cards to sports memorabilia, coins and fine art contributing to its record-breaking first half.
    — Daniel Cassady for ARTnews, Robb Report, 13 July 2026
Definition of derives
Verb
  • Another gripe for many is the American accents uniformly applied to these characters from Greek mythology when everyone knows that all the glorious empires of Hollywood speak exclusively in British accents.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
  • No one knows all the factors behind the population’s recent boom, although researchers point to recent extreme weather events and climate change, perhaps compounded with a rise in shipping traffic over recent decades.
    — Kasha Patel, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
Definition of knows
Verb
  • The tournament recognizes outstanding individuals through several awards, including the Golden Ball for best player, Golden Boot for top scorer, Golden Glove for best goalkeeper and the FIFA Young Player Award.
    — Patricio Chile, ABC News, 17 July 2026
  • As Jeff recognizes, college doesn’t have a recruitment problem.
    — Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of recognizes
Verb
  • One of the kidnappers, Rodrigo (Humberto Busto), decides that the only way to escape getting caught is to kill Felipe.
    — Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026
  • Poseidon, upset that Odysseus blinded his son, the Cyclops Polyphemus, decides to make his return home difficult and long and wet.
    — Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026
Definition of decides
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
Definition of comprehends
Verb
  • SpaceX thinks Starship's combination of power and reusability will revolutionize spaceflight, allowing humanity to settle the moon and Mars, among other bold exploration feats.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 16 July 2026
  • Morgentaler, on the other hand, thinks screening even without specific symptoms can provide important insight into a man’s health, and with the right medical oversight, overtreatment can be avoided.
    — Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 16 July 2026
Definition of thinks
Verb
  • McGwire appreciates how his dad picks up on things a lot of other people don’t, like if his arm slot changes, and offers advice on how his pitches play off each other.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 12 July 2026
  • The slouchy silhouette is ideal for anyone who appreciates the hobo bag look.
    — Mia McManus, PEOPLE, 11 July 2026
Definition of appreciates
Verb
  • But after several injuries to the squad this summer, manager Luis de la Fuente has reverted to Spain’s trusty trademark, which sees it as the narrow favorite for the title.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
  • Meanwhile, Spain sees it as a coronating moment for a group aiming for the nation’s second title (2010).
    — Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 18 July 2026
Definition of sees

Browse Nearby Words

understandings
understands
understate
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Cite this Entry

“Understands.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understands. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of understands for Spanish Speakers

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