Synonyms of understands

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

• derives
• decides
• thinks
• concludes
• infers
• assumes
• deduces
• extrapolates
• reasons
• judges
• speculates
• guesses
• supposes
• ascertains
• reads
• gathers
• makes out
• interprets
• draws a conclusion
• contemplates
• surmises
• construes
• rationalizes
• philosophizes
• conjectures
• finds out
• dopes (out)

2

as in knows

to have a practical understanding of

I think I understand how an engine works now

Synonyms & Similar Words

• knows
• comprehends
• grasps
• appreciates
• possesses
• perceives
• apprehends
• follows
• cognizes
• has
• kens
• savvies
• fathoms
• catches on (to)
• picks up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• misunderstands
• misinterprets
• misconceives
• misapprehends
• misperceives
• misknows

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

• knows
• recognizes
• comprehends
• appreciates
• sees
• deciphers
• grasps
• realizes
• perceives
• discerns
• gets
• conceives
• senses
• intuits
• apprehends
• makes
• beholds
• assimilates
• decodes
• cognizes
• seizes
• registers
• tumbles (to)
• digs
• groks
• makes out
• catches on (to)
• catches
• twigs
• absorbs
• picks up on
• savvies
• cottons (to or on to)
• compasses
• digests
• penetrates
• takes in
• pierces
• fathoms

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• misses
• misunderstands
• misinterprets
• mistakes
• misreads
• misconstrues
• misconceives
• misapprehends
• misperceives

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of understands

This response — full-hearted, full-throttle, fullalove — was a vivid example of Keeganism itself, as this corner of England knows and understands it. — Michael Walker, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026

Specialization can help set your brokerage business apart from others because clients often want an advisor who understands the details of a particular property type. — James Nelson, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Tenisha is not included in the agreement, USA TODAY understands. — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026

Do not hope everyone magically understands the practical need today. — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026

The rookie quarterback understands there's a clear distinction, though, between poise and cockiness. — Cbs New York Team, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026

The hunter who understands something about grouse eating habits and where to look for preferred foods improves his chances at bagging ol’ ruff. — Tom Huggler, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026

So The GIST clearly understands the distinction between basketball coverage and culture-war coverage. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Warren grew up in Manhattan Beach watching Pac-12 football, and understands the significance of joining a history of Stanford quarterbacks that includes Luck and John Elway. — Harold Gutmann, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026