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 On Friday, Hassett said that the administration understands the pressure that rising energy prices puts on consumers. — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026 Senior kicker Nate McCashland understands what the Goggins family is going through, with his younger brother having leukemia at a young age, and talked about how inspiring Heston is. — Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2026 Bravo did not offer any clarity on whether there would be any type of internal investigation into Gallagher, and Rolling Stone understands that Gallagher will not be edited out of the remaining episodes of the currently airing season. — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2026 Day understands that’s what being Ohio State’s coach entails. — Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026 Broward County Public Schools understands the concerns raised regarding the selection of a speaker for an upcoming event. — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026 Deadline understands that the season was filmed before the incident in December, and there are reportedly no plans to remove Gallagher from the episodes. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2026 Luiz understands that aspect, too, acknowledging that Sporting KC needed him four separate times during Thursday’s news conference. — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026 Churches, neighborhoods, nonprofits, businesses, utilities and government should periodically engage in preparedness exercises so everyone understands their role. — Freida Graves, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understands
  1. derives
  2. knows
  3. recognizes
  4. decides
  5. comprehends
  6. thinks
  7. appreciates
  8. sees
Verb
  • A great deal of the movie’s power derives from its subtle — and some not-so-subtle — variations on the Finney novel and subsequent films.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2026
  • In those situations, advice derives much of its value from trust, accountability and experience.
    — Alex Shahidi, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of derives
Verb
  • Defensive lineman Zach Sieler knows a little something about that.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Brown, who was the head coach at Troy from 2015 to 2018 and West Virginia from 2019-2024, at least knows the realities of coaching a Group of Six program.
    — Mac Engel September 5, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of knows
Verb
  • The award, which recognizes a producer’s filmmaking accomplishments over the course of their career, comes with a C$20,000 (US$14,461) cash prize and is presented in partnership with Telefilm Canada.
    — Jennie Punter, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026
  • William tells me that if someone recognizes a relative in a frame, the estate will provide a print with restrictions against resale.
    — Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of recognizes
Verb
  • She is involved in a bus accident that results in a fatality and, with the crusading passion that so many people felt after 9/11, decides to get involved as a witness and truth-teller.
    — Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The Oconomowoc Area School District will align its decision on Flock cameras with whatever the City of Oconomowoc decides regarding its own use of the cameras.
    — Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 11 Sep. 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
  • And Pochettino, who was sacked by Tottenham in November 2019 without winning anything, thinks that his work should be viewed differently in that context.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Ancient critics could never quite agree on the direction of causality between Euripides’ formal excesses and the political decay of Athens around him — and Lichtenberg thinks that same ambiguity now surrounds AI.
    — Aris Alexander, Fortune, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of thinks
Verb
  • Smith appreciates Flores’ creativity, and Flores respects Smith’s ability to call the game from the field.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The couple also appreciates the peace of mind that Windsor Run’s on-site medical care provides.
    — Erickson Senior Living, Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of appreciates
Verb
  • The company sees the rocket becoming a workhorse launcher of small to medium-size satellites down the road, and its infrastructure supports that vision.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Kendra Ramsey, executive director of the California Bicycle Coalition, sees the expansion of Waymo as a safety benefit, rather than a concern.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of sees

Browse Nearby Words

understandings
understands
understate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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