Synonym Chooser

How is the word comprehend distinct from other similar verbs?

The words appreciate and understand are common synonyms of comprehend. While all three words mean "to have a clear or complete idea of," comprehend may stress the process of coming to grips with something intellectually.

I have trouble comprehending your reasons for doing this

When is it sensible to use appreciate instead of comprehend?

While the synonyms appreciate and comprehend are close in meaning, appreciate implies a just evaluation or judgment of a thing's value or nature.

failed to appreciate the risks involved

How are the words understand and comprehend related?

Both 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

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 comprehend 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 Israeli intelligence has also monitored the reaction to the campaign among Iranian leadership, which has struggled to comprehend the extent of the damage, the Israeli official said. Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025 Speaking to reporters on Wednesday ahead of Miami’s second Club World Cup group stage match against Porto, the former Barcelona star said that MLS’ restrictive financial rules remain difficult to comprehend. Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for comprehend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comprehend
Verb
  • 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
  • If not, the Kings might come to understand why Kerr couldn’t always trust Kuminga in key situations.
    Jason Anderson July 5, Sacbee.com, 5 July 2025
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
  • The foundation has now grown to encompass other crafts and traditional Korean practices.
    Thessaly La Force, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2025
  • Ellison’s interests extend well beyond real estate, encompassing a serious watch collection, high-performance yachts, and his role as cofounder of SailGP, a global sailing league launched in 2018.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 4 July 2025
Verb
  • With these additional texts, the team was able to completely decipher this ancient hymn of praise.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 2 July 2025
  • People were quick to decipher the message — and went bananas, as expected.
    Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • While wedding planning, the pair was inspired by Alyssa's older sister, who included couples trivia at her reception.
    Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 12 July 2025
  • Taco Bell crispy chicken tacos and burritos (AKA wraps) Earlier this summer, Taco Bell debuted a new lineup of crispy chicken menu items that include tacos and burritos after a successful trial with chicken nuggets.
    Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • To harvest, grasp a cherry with your fingers and pull it free from the tree with a gentle, twisting motion.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2025
  • But the fundamental notion to be grasped is one of purpose.
    John Updike, New Yorker, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • But the binders contained information that had largely already been in the public domain.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 13 July 2025
  • The memo also contains a link to about 11 hours of footage of Epstein in his cell released as proof of his suicide—which quickly faced more scrutiny after viewers realized about a minute of footage was missing.
    Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • For individuals entering the investing space, recognizing the emotional barriers that have held them back is a key part of their success.
    Alejandra Rojas, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • Williams underscores the importance of collective action and creative resistance, urging readers to recognize that transformation starts not with the machine, but with the mind, and the communities willing to reimagine what’s possible.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 14 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Comprehend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comprehend. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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