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
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
Ahamed really understands the American economy as part of a global economic system—something that a lot of other writers refuse to do.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026
Australian filmmaker Chiarella, who previously directed three shorts that premiered in his home country as well as episodes of psychosexual television series, understands the significance of releasing his film right now — in both Australia and the United States.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 10 June 2026
Deadline understands Gaspin, who is VP, Unscripted Series, just told colleagues of his move moments ago.
—Peter White, Deadline, 10 June 2026
Trump understands the need to avoid a Republican wipeout like the 2018 midterms when Democrats flipped the House and derailed much of the final two years of his first-term plans.
—Patrick Whittle, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
Witt has previously dealt with knee soreness and understands how to manage it with treatment.
—Kansas City Star, 9 June 2026
Facing a critical juncture on the path of NBA development, Tidjane Salaün understands the assignment in front of him over the coming weeks.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2026
McCarthy understands that dynamic.
—Mike Defabo, New York Times, 3 June 2026
Literary Hub, 10 June 2026
Ahamed really understands the American economy as part of a global economic system—something that a lot of other writers refuse to do.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026
Australian filmmaker Chiarella, who previously directed three shorts that premiered in his home country as well as episodes of psychosexual television series, understands the significance of releasing his film right now — in both Australia and the United States.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 10 June 2026
Deadline understands Gaspin, who is VP, Unscripted Series, just told colleagues of his move moments ago.
—Peter White, Deadline, 10 June 2026
Trump understands the need to avoid a Republican wipeout like the 2018 midterms when Democrats flipped the House and derailed much of the final two years of his first-term plans.
—Patrick Whittle, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
Witt has previously dealt with knee soreness and understands how to manage it with treatment.
—Kansas City Star, 9 June 2026
Facing a critical juncture on the path of NBA development, Tidjane Salaün understands the assignment in front of him over the coming weeks.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2026
McCarthy understands that dynamic.
—Mike Defabo, New York Times, 3 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
-
Nobody knows how often adverse events occur, said Kristen Nixon, a Johns Hopkins University researcher who has studied posts about weight loss drugs on Reddit, a popular online forum.—
Maia Rosenfeld,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
-
She’s made a career out of being a normal person who knows a lot about technology but never gets carried away by sci-fi fantasies.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
The Champion of the Month Award recognizes volunteers, and Fontaine was one of the first recipients.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
5 June 2026
-
Cops have released a video of the woman in the hopes someone recognizes her.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
Now, technology decides everything.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
Deborah decides to pursue treatment after all, if only to buy enough time to work a little more.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
29 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
-
And anyone who thinks those in the top brackets are modeling good behavior is not paying attention.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
9 June 2026
-
But Canaccord Genuity thinks investors should ignore the decline and get into the stock now.—
Davis Giangiulio,
CNBC,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
But Gibbard appreciates how fans have reassessed Plans similarly years later.—
Ilana Kaplan,
PEOPLE,
8 June 2026
-
Thompson appreciates cartoons that do this well.—
Alex Shoemaker,
Parents,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
How Familiar handles privacy inside your home A robot that sees and hears what happens inside your home naturally raises privacy questions.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
8 June 2026
-
However, her personable commanding officer Majid (Shafi al-Harthi) sees the value in her perspective when a high school student’s body turns up in the desert, and Nawal discerns clues from details which the policemen overlook, from the girl’s manicure to the embroidery on her abaya.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Understands.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understands. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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