Definition of understandnext

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 Principal Paula Hamel Daher and her team of eight make sure to fully understand the needs and unique styles of its clients before beginning the design process. Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 10 Feb. 2026 Nevertheless, the Heat hears the angry fan and understands. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2026 The Bears understood that Indiana would have to offer a package that was attractive and very difficult to turn down. Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026 Voters must understand that the college affordability crisis was engineered by perverse incentives and that free-market reforms can help restore sanity to the system. Neetu Arnold, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for understand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understand
Verb
  • Bass, who was politically weakened by her performance during the fire and its aftermath, was already facing more than two dozen challengers looking to oust her in the June 2 primary — the vast majority little known to the public and not expected to pose any threat.
    David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
  • One note e-mailed Monday to the KOLD-TV newsroom in Tucson included information that only the abductor would know, anchor Mary Coleman told CNN.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Even the winter sun seemed to recognize the gravity of the moment, breaking through the clouds to illuminate the private dining room for the entirety of that historic afternoon.
    Pin Yen Tan 9 min ago, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
  • In recent news, FinalSpark’s Neuroplatform was accessed by a team from the University of Bristol this past summer to explore whether organoids can learn to recognize tactile information – aka Braille.
    Matthew S Williams, Interesting Engineering, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag 1L Leather Alternative Made with faux leather that’s derived from cactus fiber, this belt bag is luxury on the go.
    Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
  • The first of these is alginate (derived from seaweed), which forms a gel when exposed to liquids (such as blood).
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • What’s more, humans appreciate experiences like emotions in ways AI may never comprehend.
    Matthew S Williams, Interesting Engineering, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Time for a list of Movies That Live in Our Memories for Indefinable Reasons—a category that AI could neither generate nor comprehend, because loving movies is the province only of humans.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • How fans experience the game and how referees decipher controversial calls will only get better as visual AI advances.
    Jason Corso, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Health care professionals are now caught between deciphering new legislation and their duty to provide quality care.
    Eleanor Sobel, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Monitoring high-level athletes for drug misuse is nothing new, but the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) surprised many people recently by deciding to track the use of GLP-1 drugs, such as the diabetes and obesity treatments Ozempic (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide).
    Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Winners of the Lucky for Life top prize of $1,000 a day for life and second prize of $25,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.
    Staff Reports, The Providence Journal, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Even as statewide political dynamics shifted, his leadership remained popular and appreciated in our community.
    Stuart Schmidt Jr, Baltimore Sun, 8 Feb. 2026
  • But experts, including Diaz, say eating mushrooms isn’t a necessary part of observing, learning and appreciating them.
    Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • People think, oh, this is just a nepotism situation.
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Lindsey showed that people can do it a lot longer than anybody thought.
    Sean Gregory, Time, 13 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Understand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understand. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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