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
Hughton, whose father is from Accra, understands the frustration of a fanbase starved of success for so long.
—
Simon Hughes, New York Times, 17 June 2026
Reid understands that people are used to seeing her as her characters or through the lens of her projects but that’s not the full picture.
—Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 17 June 2026
Unlike other coastal destinations that easily succumb to high-rise condos, touristy restaurants, and run-of-the-mill souvenir shops, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea understands that growth doesn’t always equal progress.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 17 June 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Ryan Thompson understands exactly what’s happening with the media reaction to the San Francisco Giants' Pride Night controversy.
—Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2026
The Royal Navy patrol ship HMS MERSEY was monitoring the Russian vessel at the time, ABC News understands.
—Jamie Dorrington, ABC News, 16 June 2026
That’s because the market understands the extraordinary practical challenges that the oil industry is about to face.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 15 June 2026
Ian Barford, who plays the verbose and focused Hermann, drives the play as a Jewish entrepreneur who understands the need to plan ahead, and Barbara Robertson, the matriarch of the family and the evening, stands tall here.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026
Even now, the psychological moves of the book’s last moments, how and what Maeve understands, feel to me provisional, blurry, to be co-created with the reader.
—Literary Hub, 10 June 2026
Simon Hughes, New York Times, 17 June 2026
Reid understands that people are used to seeing her as her characters or through the lens of her projects but that’s not the full picture.
—Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 17 June 2026
Unlike other coastal destinations that easily succumb to high-rise condos, touristy restaurants, and run-of-the-mill souvenir shops, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea understands that growth doesn’t always equal progress.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 17 June 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Ryan Thompson understands exactly what’s happening with the media reaction to the San Francisco Giants' Pride Night controversy.
—Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2026
The Royal Navy patrol ship HMS MERSEY was monitoring the Russian vessel at the time, ABC News understands.
—Jamie Dorrington, ABC News, 16 June 2026
That’s because the market understands the extraordinary practical challenges that the oil industry is about to face.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 15 June 2026
Ian Barford, who plays the verbose and focused Hermann, drives the play as a Jewish entrepreneur who understands the need to plan ahead, and Barbara Robertson, the matriarch of the family and the evening, stands tall here.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026
Even now, the psychological moves of the book’s last moments, how and what Maeve understands, feel to me provisional, blurry, to be co-created with the reader.
—Literary Hub, 10 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understands
Verb
-
Soccer derives its beauty from its simplicity.—
Leander Schaerlaeckens
June 8,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
-
The result is a relentless flood of advice that derives its authority not from expertise but from personal testimony, endlessly reinforcing the idea that your feelings are your most important parenting instrument.—
Nina Bandelj,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Calmus knows firsthand what NICU families face.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
-
From Louis through the book, and then his mother knows exactly how to string him along, when to give him love and when to take it away.—
Precious Fondren,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
This modern leadership model recognizes that sustained peak performance demands a strong biological foundation, encompassing sleep, nutrition, and exercise.—
Julian Hayes II,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
-
Cops released photos of the suspect in hopes the public recognizes him.—
Nicholas Williams,
New York Daily News,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
Lucky decides to take Mason to his first baseball game in Atlanta, only to encounter a series of complications and setbacks for which fatherhood, grief, and economic barriers are a distinct part of the Black American experience.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
19 June 2026
-
Outgoing Mayor Vi Lyles has announced her intent to resign by June 30 or whenever the council decides on her replacement.—
Zaire Breedlove,
Charlotte Observer,
19 June 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
-
The surest sign of improving standards in Ghana and other African countries, Hughton thinks, will be when diaspora players born elsewhere in the world opt to follow their roots.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
So everyone thinks the world is falling apart.—
Tara Haelle,
Scientific American,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Waterhouse appreciates a statement heel moment.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
16 June 2026
-
Sill appreciates that Glacier isn’t too stark, warm, or cool.—
Sarah Lyon,
Southern Living,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
As Droga sees it, the advertising industry is very much in the throes of a profound technological shift.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
22 June 2026
-
On average, the region sees its first 100-degree day on July 1.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Understands.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understands. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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