1
as in realized
to come to an awareness of
she caught on to the fact that they were planning a surprise party
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in understood
to have a clear idea of
he finally caught on to the concept of phototaxis
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for caught on (to)
Verb
-
The astronomer William Herschel argued that the universe was vaster and older than anyone had realized.—
Kathryn Hughes,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026 -
Its predictions about the early 21st century were only partially realized, but its deeper engagement with technology, intelligence and human evolution has kept scientists and filmmakers returning to it for nearly six decades.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Stout, who has a doctorate in clinical psychology and has worked in the mental health field her entire career, understood what her uncle needed, and Hochheiser himself wasn’t shy.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
In the ’90s and 2000s, under Senegalese presidents Abdou Diouf and Abdoulaye Wade, who extended Leopold Senghor’s vision of art as statecraft, Dak’Art benefited from government backing not just as a matter of policy but because these presidents understood that culture mattered.—
Smooth Nzewi,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Will County Sheriff's Office confirmed on Monday that more remains have been found in the same location where the bones of a missing man were discovered last week.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Gerald Lopez, who taught English and coached sports at the East County school, was arrested in 2022 by El Cajon police after the then-17-year-old girl’s mother discovered a series of text messages between her daughter and Lopez.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Jacir said many of those screenings opened eyes to a history many people never knew.—
Zach Dennis,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Badinter knew that debate-club arguments about deterrence and human-rights law and the possibility of judicial error would be ineffective.—
Lauren Collins,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Guests include those already loyal to the Six Senses brand and Missoni clad fashionistas who have heard about the hideaway’s sizable wellness offerings.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Alleged damages must be in excess of $5 million to be heard in Texas Business Court, but plaintiffs state the full amount they are owed will be determined at trial.—
Paul Flahive,
Austin American Statesman,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Marsha recognized the man on the right as Steven White — her daughter Ashley's best friend.—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The quotation is from the Book of Isaiah, which is recognized as Scripture by Christians and Jews.—
Paul Elie,
New Yorker,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, scientists identified the virus, deciphered its secrets, concocted a vaccine, put it into production, and rendered the disease manageable – all within a year.—
David Blumenthal,
Fortune,
24 Mar. 2026
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Researchers using advanced imaging technology have deciphered 79 previously invisible inscriptions — including love notes, drawings of gladiators, and everyday messages — on a wall in the ancient city of Pompeii, offering a rare window into the lives of ordinary people nearly 2,000 years ago.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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According to Sadriu, officers learned that Cupe was allegedly assaulting a woman in the park when a bystander intervened in an effort to stop the assault.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Detectives also learned that the juvenile would not be in the state and had no intention of attending the event.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Caught on (to).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caught%20on%20%28to%29. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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