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
Contrary to popular belief, Day understands the benefits of somebody else leading the offense.
—
Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
This success positioned NuPhy as a brand that understands both office workflows and creative production.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 14 Jan. 2026
As somebody who has served in ICE and understands the importance of conducting immigration enforcement in as safe and nonpublic way as possible, picking people up from prisons and jails is a huge piece of ICE doing its job well and within reasonable constraints.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 14 Jan. 2026
In the aftermath, Ki-tae sees his brother, and perhaps understands just how angry Gi-hyeon is with him.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 14 Jan. 2026
No Texas basketball player understands head coach Sean Miller better than Dailyn Swain, a junior who has known Miller since his prep days as an overlooked recruit in Columbus, Ohio.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 13 Jan. 2026
And no fan base understands that point about business getting in the way like the Mavs.
—Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 13 Jan. 2026
No normal person understands monetary policy.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Plummer understands Nix is in a difficult spot.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 11 Jan. 2026
Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
This success positioned NuPhy as a brand that understands both office workflows and creative production.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 14 Jan. 2026
As somebody who has served in ICE and understands the importance of conducting immigration enforcement in as safe and nonpublic way as possible, picking people up from prisons and jails is a huge piece of ICE doing its job well and within reasonable constraints.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 14 Jan. 2026
In the aftermath, Ki-tae sees his brother, and perhaps understands just how angry Gi-hyeon is with him.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 14 Jan. 2026
No Texas basketball player understands head coach Sean Miller better than Dailyn Swain, a junior who has known Miller since his prep days as an overlooked recruit in Columbus, Ohio.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 13 Jan. 2026
And no fan base understands that point about business getting in the way like the Mavs.
—Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 13 Jan. 2026
No normal person understands monetary policy.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Plummer understands Nix is in a difficult spot.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 11 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understands
Verb
-
Given that the city’s budget derives roughly three-quarters of its annual revenue from property taxes, that dynamic is shifting more of the city’s tax burden onto homeowners.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
-
In fact, the word alcohol derives from early distillation methods from the Arabic al-kuhul, a word for an ancient Egyptian dark eyeliner that was made using an early distillation technology in Alexandria.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The organizers pledged to continue the campaign throughout awards season to ensure the public knows the names of Good and others killed by ICE agents in shootings.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Amal Clooney knows all about dressing for the occasion.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The District recognizes its responsibility to serve the CPS community with integrity.—
Asal Rezaei,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Mescal recognizes that his role is in support of the titanic performance given by Buckley.—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
And while Elliott would like to see Nielsen as the next CEO, if the board decides on someone else who is equally qualified, Elliott will support that decision.—
Kenneth Squire,
CNBC,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Georgia grows tired of her husband and their nightly trips to the fancy French restaurant and decides to have an affair with another man at another table (Alan Howard).—
Diane J. Cho,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
That's precisely what a smart Southern cook thinks, too.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The Pahlavi pretender himself certainly thinks so.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Bolles appreciates All-Pro nod.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
13 Jan. 2026
-
And the Magic guard appreciates their support.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Every time a customer pays with a credit card, 2 to 4 percent of that sale is siphoned off before a business ever sees the money.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Qu said the company sees it as a hobby-grade product aimed at users who want a closer approximation of real piloting.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Understands.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understands. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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