understood

verb

Definition of understoodnext
past tense of understand
1
as in derived
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 knew
to have a practical understanding of I think I understand how an engine works now

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in comprehended
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 understood How these two investments caught fire can be understood in the context of several developments this week. — Michelle Chapman, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2026 As American record companies had long understood, these made London an ideal launchpad for pop-culture trends. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 23 Aug. 2026 Someone had been here before me, had understood exactly what a person in my position would need. — Ledio Cakaj, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026 My father understood something similar in a very different business. — Bill Schiffmiller, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Former defense attorney Toby Shook testified Friday that the original defense team understood the agreement to allow Anthony to testify about the confrontation under the tent at the Frisco track meet. — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026 White began wondering whether stories like Phillips’ could be understood as their own declarations of independence. — Reginald David, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2026 As traditionally understood, a movie purports to tell a story to an audience whose ideal state is one of relative ignorance. — Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026 The Maratha forces included various military formations that were not completely understood by all Maratha generals. — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understood
  1. derived
  2. knew
  3. comprehended
  4. decided
  5. recognized
  6. concluded
  7. deciphered
  8. grasped
Verb
  • History and discovery Buprenorphine is derived from thebaine, an alkaloid that occurs naturally in the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum).
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The Minneapolis company has shifted to fruit- and vegetable-based dyes as well as colors derived from spices like turmeric and paprika to give its cereals their customary bright colors.
    — Dee-Ann Durbin, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of derived
Verb
  • With the amount of firepower that Geneva graduated from last year’s lineup, senior forward Gabe Barwiolek knew the burden to score was going to fall upon his shoulders.
    — Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The grand jury said then-state Attorney General Ashley Moody’s office knew of the plans to divert the money.
    — Jim Vertuno, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of knew
Verb
  • The frames keep changing regardless of how much the viewer has noticed or comprehended.
    — Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
  • The company expects a little more of an impact in its Q2, but Cook said it’s fully comprehended in the above Street outlook of 48% to 49%.
    — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
Definition of comprehended
Verb
  • While all of the women found their respective moment to shine, no one rose to the occasion quite like Luann de Lesseps, who seemingly decided on her own that Kyle’s white party would be the perfect backdrop for a cabaret performance like none other.
    — Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
  • This family gathering comes just days after it was revealed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have decided to formally relocate their residence back to Harry’s homeland.
    — Diego Parrado, Vanity Fair, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of decided
Verb
  • Many university students have turned the ROI factor into the pursuit of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) careers, and many of the top ranking schools were recognized for their STEM programs.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The attempt to rename the gulf, which has gone by the same name since the 16th Century, drew international opposition, and numerous media outlets vowed to stick with the common and internationally recognized usage.
    — Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of recognized
Verb
  • At least 15 babies and children from the faith-healing sect died between 2015 and 2025 from illnesses that doctors could have successfully treated, the experts concluded.
    — Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Kirk Heilbrun, a forensic psychologist who evaluated Clancy in April, concluded his testimony Tuesday, testifying that Clancy was suffering from a form of bipolar disorder, but could still appreciate that killing her children was wrong.
    — Melina Khan, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of concluded
Verb
  • Uncertainty notwithstanding, the longevity world has glommed onto the notion that the vaginal microbiome is some kind of exotic tealeaf that can be deciphered—and perfected by purchasing the right supplements.
    — Sarah DiGregorio, Vanity Fair, 27 July 2026
  • Its successor script, Linea B, was also a mystery until it was deciphered in 1952 by an amateur linguist and cryptographer Michael Ventris with the help of classicist John Chadwick, both building on patterns in the script first identified by classicist Alice Kober.
    — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 23 June 2026
Definition of deciphered
Verb
  • Ashton Daniels, who started his career at Stanford and then appeared in four games at Auburn last season, has quickly grasped the offense, according to every testimonial delivered by teammates and FSU offensive coaches since the spring.
    — Andre C. Fernandez, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026
  • By the Monitor's Editorial Board Five years ago this month, as the last United States forces withdrew from Afghanistan, the Taliban grasped the reins of government and have kept a tight hold on them since.
    — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of grasped

Browse Nearby Words

understating
understood
understudied
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Understood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understood. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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