Synonym Chooser

How is the word understand distinct from other similar verbs?

The words appreciate and comprehend are common synonyms of understand. While all three words mean "to have a clear or complete idea of," understand and comprehend are very often interchangeable, with understand sometimes stressing the fact of having attained a firm mental grasp of something.

orders that were fully understood and promptly obeyed

When is it sensible to use appreciate instead of understand?

The synonyms appreciate and understand are sometimes interchangeable, but appreciate implies a just evaluation or judgment of a thing's value or nature.

failed to appreciate the risks involved

Where would comprehend be a reasonable alternative to understand?

Although the words comprehend and understand have much in common, comprehend may stress the process of coming to grips with something intellectually.

I have trouble comprehending your reasons for doing this

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 understand The past week has proven a surreal one for TikTok's users and creators, many of whom are struggling to understand how this proved to be the one issue that could unite Democrats and Republicans. David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025 Want to understand the impact of tech on your body and how to live better with your devices? Manuela López Restrepo, NPR, 18 Jan. 2025 Just compensate for my skill set within the scope of the business, understanding all the young guys have got to get paid. Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2025 What's next: Theragun is looking to further tailor its routines, expand to work with other products in the company's portfolio and also incorporate real-time feedback to understand where someone might be sore and adjust treatments accordingly. Ina Fried, Axios, 6 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for understand 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understand
Verb
  • The original data was derived from the Laredo Oil Inc quarterly 10-Q report dated January 17, 2025.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Look for products derived from organic, non-GMO, pesticide-free hemp grown in the USA.
    Rowan Briggs, The Mercury News, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • But no one knew exactly the right way to clean up the mess.
    Katharine Gammon, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2025
  • But Wilcox’s team didn’t know how the tax cuts would take shape.
    Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 19 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The order said the federal government would recognize only two sexes—male or female—and calls for housing transgender women in men's prisons, and halting gender-affirming medical care.
    Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
  • Many will recognize him as the replicant who (quite violently) fails the Voight-Kampff test in Blade Runner (1982).
    Danny Horn, EW.com, 27 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The top eight advanced direct to the last 16, while those clubs from ninth to 24th will contest a playoff to decide which eight teams join them.
    Greg O'Keeffe, The Athletic, 30 Jan. 2025
  • Universal, which had financed the $18 million film and planned to distribute it, had decided that the movie couldn’t be released in theaters with the 140-minute version that Fargeat had shown them.
    Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 29 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The level of devastation Los Angeles has just experienced is hard for any of us to comprehend.
    Emma Marie Jenkinson, Vogue, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Famously, his digressive speeches require deep immersion in right-wing lore to comprehend.
    Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • In deciphering sagas of eons past, astronomers find few examples more intriguing than Messier 67, or M67, which is a large, loosely bound group of sun-like stars dwelling in the outskirts of the Milky Way, our home galaxy.
    Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 15 Jan. 2025
  • This is where unified customer/retailer data will play a big role — deciphering behavior drivers to find more customers.
    Lauren Parker, WWD, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • And does the new Bears coach think Poles can fix the gaps in free agency and the draft? Johnson will have much to share about his plans in the days ahead.
    Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025
  • North Korean troops fighting for Russia in Ukraine thought the war was a military exercise, according to videos released by Ukraine.
    Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Our understanding of it may include experiences such as writing or running Java code, exploring its ecosystem and appreciating the practical applications of this language.
    Ramanakar Danda, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Few appreciate how close Putin is to running out of cash.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, TIME, 23 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near understand

Cite this Entry

“Understand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understand. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on understand

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!