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
Peace returns when everyone understands what is being shared.
—
Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2026
The director understands immediately.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 13 May 2026
Its aching heart understands that a full moon of brilliant perfection can illuminate one of the most painful moments of your life.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
Lyse’s work understands that digital spectatorship is now governed less by climax than by retention.
—Andrew S. Jacobson, Baltimore Sun, 13 May 2026
Roberts, the relentless optimist, understands this.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 12 May 2026
The singer acutely understands what her artistry and her music mean to people.
—Danny Hajjar, Rolling Stone, 12 May 2026
Last July, Wolfson found Barahona competent, ruling that Barahona was capable of aiding his defense attorneys and understands the severity of the penalties should he be found guilty.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026
This is crucial for Graham, who understands that his first round of hires will be vital to establishing the long-term identity of his tenure with the team.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2026
The director understands immediately.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 13 May 2026
Its aching heart understands that a full moon of brilliant perfection can illuminate one of the most painful moments of your life.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
Lyse’s work understands that digital spectatorship is now governed less by climax than by retention.
—Andrew S. Jacobson, Baltimore Sun, 13 May 2026
Roberts, the relentless optimist, understands this.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 12 May 2026
The singer acutely understands what her artistry and her music mean to people.
—Danny Hajjar, Rolling Stone, 12 May 2026
Last July, Wolfson found Barahona competent, ruling that Barahona was capable of aiding his defense attorneys and understands the severity of the penalties should he be found guilty.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026
This is crucial for Graham, who understands that his first round of hires will be vital to establishing the long-term identity of his tenure with the team.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understands
Verb
-
The trail, which derives its name from the slaughterhouses that first existed in the 1600s, also served as the backdrop for Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar's 1982 movie, Laberinto de Pasiones.—
Stacy Lambe,
PEOPLE,
2 May 2026
-
The rule against prior restraint derives from the English common law principle that liberty of the press is essential to a free state.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The backstory Robin Hutson knows hotels.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
-
Rashad knows that even now, at this late stage in hip-hop’s evolution, rappers are expected to guard their reputations carefully.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Hometown Heroes recognizes and supports the men and women who wore the uniform of the United States.—
Anne Brensley,
Boston Herald,
9 May 2026
-
Richie, an audiophile, immediately recognizes the artist and sparks up a conversation.—
Anna Ortiz,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
So in that sense, a lot of what clipping does is help good artists find the audiences who would’ve liked them anyway by accelerating the early excitement just enough to push them past the algorithmic threshold that decides who gets discovered and who doesn’t.—
Lane Brown,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
-
And the audience, Hammond has come to understand, is ultimately the one who decides.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
15 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
-
Everybody thinks this man had a heart attack, or some preëxisting condition.—
Akash Kapur,
New Yorker,
12 May 2026
-
The possibility of uncertain thought, where the speed of the pen outruns the fine control in the effort to write as fast as one thinks, and one gains a productive illegibility.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Junior middle hitter David Neylon appreciates what Thompson means to the Warriors.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
-
Letter writer appreciates friends’ support through family’s health struggles but also wants space to breathe.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Just as the Mayor himself has become a figure who transcends city politics, Richards sees the task ahead as one that will have wider implications.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
-
In addition to expanding the denim and T-shirt offerings, Sung sees opportunities to expand footwear and accessories.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Understands.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understands. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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