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
-
Investigators reportedly discovered a handgun, the victim's cellphone and money in the area where the shooting happened.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Altman agreed to that demand, but in June, as the deal was closing, Amodei discovered that a provision granting Microsoft the power to block OpenAI from any mergers had been added.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 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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Explosions rang out in Tehran and low-flying jets could be heard for hours as the capital was pounded.—
Lucia I Suarez Sang,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Yes, Kraus has heard that comparison already.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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 8 Apr. 2026.
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