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 At first, the dog opened her eyes and then instantly started to sniff the air to understand what was going on. Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025 However, the evidence is mixed; researchers think larger studies are needed to understand caffeine's influence on this condition.15 What Are the Potential Downsides of Cloud Coffee? Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 15 July 2025 With millions of followers across Instagram, TikTok and Substack, the platform is positioned towards helping young people better understand the news, with regular free newsletters and podcasts. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 15 July 2025 The class is offered by the Peace and Justice Institute, an Orlando nonprofit that hosts workshops on topics like conflict resolution, understanding trauma, emotional intelligence and parenting. Michael Cuglietta, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for understand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understand
Verb
  • That gap can cause marketing to keep optimizing based on CPC or CPL without knowing which leads actually move forward in the funnel.
    Ron Browning, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • Rest assured, no one knew this kind of flood was coming.
    Rebecca Schneid, Time, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • Regardless of the era, recognizing the craft’s origins is important to understanding its evolution.
    Mark LaSota, Forbes.com, 27 July 2025
  • France also announced this week that the country will recognize Palestine as a state.
    Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2025
Verb
  • Employers believe that workers in specific departments, like sales and marketing (85%) and human resources (78%), will derive significant value from AI implementation.
    Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • This is a natural blue food color additive derived from the gardenia fruit.
    Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • There are two approaches to achieve this: comprehend the historical odds and position yourself prior to the earnings release, or analyze the correlation between immediate and medium-term returns following the earnings announcement and adjust your positions accordingly afterward.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
  • But how much human language do dogs truly comprehend—and what are the limits?
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • Imagine walking into your doctor’s office feeling sick – and rather than flipping through pages of your medical history or running tests that take days, your doctor instantly pulls together data from your health records, genetic profile and wearable devices to help decipher what’s wrong.
    Turgay Ayer, The Conversation, 11 July 2025
  • Throughout the 20th century, as ruins plunder shifted to protecting the cliff dwellings, archaeologists tried to decipher the remnants and make amends with the descendants, while understanding the ancient situation that prompted this mass migration.
    Mike Bezemek, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • In a July 15 episode of her podcast, Unlocked, the reality television star, 27, decided to speak about undergoing liposuction for the first time, detailing the reasoning behind her decision to undergo the knife.
    Michelle Lee, People.com, 15 July 2025
  • Peskov said Putin would need time to analyze Trump's remarks, some of which were directed at him, and to decide whether to comment.
    Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • Many travelers also appreciate the elevated look of leather.
    Talia Ergas, Travel + Leisure, 22 July 2025
  • Youngman also appreciated the ease of cooking thanks to premade sauces, stocks, and herb blends—and precut vegetables.
    Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 July 2025
Verb
  • Here are other things that came out of Engelbert’s availability: Engelbert said the WNBA is thinking about expanding its future scheduling footprint as well as the number of games played in upcoming seasons.
    Ben Pickman, New York Times, 20 July 2025
  • Why do otherwise well-mannered people think open-mouth chewing is socially acceptable?
    R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Understand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understand. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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