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 Some things are beyond the capacity of a child to understand, while others resonate most profoundly out of the mouths of babes. Peter Debruge, Variety, 5 July 2025 Detectives have continued to interview the mother to better understand her reasoning for leaving the child in the vehicle and a timeline of events, but the Harris County District Attorney's Office will determine any charges related to the tragic incident, according to the outlet. Sam Gillette, People.com, 4 July 2025 Schedule quarterly calls with customers or partners in different time zones to better understand regional market differences. Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025 These powerful stellar explosions serve as cosmic lighthouses, helping astronomers measure vast cosmic distances and understand the accelerating expansion of the universe. Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for understand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understand
Verb
  • Rest assured, no one knew this kind of flood was coming.
    Rebecca Schneid, Time, 7 July 2025
  • Because as our founders knew so well, human nature recoils all too often at the inconveniences and frustrations of self-government.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025
Verb
  • Every year, The Hollywood Reporter recognizes the town’s best and most influential business managers working behind the scenes to manage the financial lives of entertainment’s most high-profile figures.
    Trey Williams, HollywoodReporter, 1 July 2025
  • The system even recognizes when the user is trying to sing and can change the pitch to match simple melodies.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • All of these inputs to the model simulations are primarily derived from observational data.
    Ben Santer, Scientific American, 4 July 2025
  • While much of the popularity of the program is derived from its ability to inspire online debate, even the showrunners have noticed an uptick in the nastiness of the commentary.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 3 July 2025
Verb
  • They had been expected to argue that severe mental disease or defect caused Purdy not to comprehend that his conduct was wrong.
    Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 June 2025
  • Business leaders must comprehend enough about AI to ask informed questions and understand system limitations.
    Andrew Mawson, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • People were quick to decipher the message — and went bananas, as expected.
    Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
  • With these additional texts, the team was able to completely decipher this ancient hymn of praise.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • After a marathon session, the Senate narrowly passed their version of the legislation with Vice President Vance having to cast the deciding vote.
    JJ Kinahan, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • Auditing is full of such cases, such as deciding on materiality thresholds, making a call about whether a client has submitted enough evidence to justify a particular accounting treatment, or deciding on appropriate warranty reserves for a new product.
    Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • For a band that broke up under a cloud of bitterness, Talking Heads still appreciate a good celebration.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 28 June 2025
  • But more importantly thank you for taking the time to appreciate the little things.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • In dialogue with feminist visual traditions—think Jo Spence and Ana Mendieta—Brontē’s project carves its own terrain.
    Alessia Glaviano, Vogue, 7 July 2025
  • Lucy Blakiston used to think working in media meant living a glitzy life wearing kitten heels, getting her nails done and working from chic offices.
    Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 7 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Understand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://x0upouf933.proxynodejs.usequeue.com/thesaurus/understand. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

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