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Definitions

understand

[uhn-der-stand] / ˌʌn dərˈstænd /




Usage

What are other ways to say understand? To understand is to be fully aware not only of the meaning of something but also of its implications: I could comprehend all he said, but did not understand that he was joking. To know is to be aware of something as a fact or truth: He knows the basic facts of the subject. I know that he agrees with me. To comprehend is to know something thoroughly and to perceive its relationships to certain other ideas, facts, etc. 

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

“When our bodies finally wake up and understand what has been happening throughout all these years.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 4, 2026

Hollywood keeps asking what made the monster, because a monster with a making is a monster we can understand — and contain.

From Salon ● Oct. 4, 2026

They also spoke to local residents to better understand their enemy.

From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026

But as a point guard, he admits his job is to speak up more, to help organize the offense, to make sure some of his nine new teammates understand what Lakers coach JJ Redick expects.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2026

“La, I understand why you’re doing this. But fair warning, you’re making a difficult thing nearly impossible.”

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

After he understands that a little bit better, he says “these are the different ways my life could go.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 5, 2026

That is why a lawyer who understands the issue -- and even speaks the child's language if it is not English -- is necessary.

From Barron's ● Oct. 4, 2026

In Ms. Browne’s compression, the reader immediately understands how Darwin’s diverse interests came to fit together like the pieces of a puzzle.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026

A black Mercedes, which the BBC understands belongs to midfielder Lucas Gourna-Douath, 24, crashed on Millhouse Woods Lane in Cottingham, East Yorkshire.

From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026

He is asking if Gina understands something now because of her.

From "A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti

Adams said at the start of training camp — months after the Eagles traded Brown to the New England Patriots — that he understood that was part of the business.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2026

Magnetoreception remains one of the least understood senses found in nature.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 2, 2026

It is understood that ministers will try to implement the changes before the start of next year's summer holidays.

From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026

Macron said earlier this week that he understood the anxieties and anger driving young people to protest but he condemned the violence.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026

Both now understood that fame was a two-faced monster.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

It is built around understanding, empathy and respect but also emphasises the importance of boundaries.

From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026

“I think luckily for me, I started my career in an offense that was similar to that, and just understanding you never know when it’s going to come, but just to be ready,” Thybulle said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 4, 2026

That theoretical work helped provide a framework for understanding the superconductivity enhancement observed in the new experiments.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 3, 2026

But a result that does nothing to advance human understanding, they contend, can hardly be called mathematics.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026

Nodding, his mouth a firm line of understanding and resolve, he leans over and grabs my hand.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam




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