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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:

I can definitely understand why there might not be, let’s say, a surplus of empathy for a privileged young man carelessly and repeatedly squandering his expensive education.

From Salon Jul. 25, 2026

"We understand that this will cause concern among the local community and specialist detectives are doing everything possible to determine what has happened," he added.

From BBC Jul. 25, 2026

“We just fundamentally understand they’ll never be a substitute product,” he said.

From MarketWatch Jul. 25, 2026

Yet, he argues, biologists have long sought to understand life by taking it apart, and we might also understand it by learning how to synthesize organisms from component parts.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 24, 2026

How do I make this police officer, a normal, regular person, understand that things aren’t the way Dad frames them?

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

“My hope is that the court understands Jesse was more than a victim,” Jimenez’s niece, who did not wish to be named, wrote in an impact statement.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 25, 2026

The BBC understands the boy may have been stranded on a sandbank when he was cut off from the shore.

From BBC Jul. 24, 2026

The BBC understands Meah was later questioned by police on suspicion of malfeasance in public office but no further action was taken.

From BBC Jul. 22, 2026

According to veteran observers of Israeli politics, Mr. Netanyahu understands that these policies are unpopular.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 21, 2026

Her voice is kind, as if maybe she understands why today was bad.

From "Muffled" by Jennifer Gennari

"These models understood that OpenAI did not want them to break out of their sandbox and hack another company," he continued, "but they did it anyway."

From Barron's Jul. 24, 2026

But when I understood the connection last year, I tried to get in touch with Professor Strachan to thank her, only to find out that, in 2022, she died after a long battle with cancer.

From Salon Jul. 24, 2026

The Gunners also have Como's Jacobo Ramon on a list of defenders they would like to bring in, but it is understood clauses in the Spaniard's contract make a deal difficult.

From BBC Jul. 23, 2026

Hilda Solis, in a statement, said she understood the frustration and concerns of residents, including those calling for a mandatory evacuation.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 23, 2026

I went to their cot and pleaded with them—though I didn’t know whether they understood German or not.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

City will look better with Rodri, who possesses an understanding of positioning, speed and risk that Anderson and future signings may take time to grasp.

From BBC Jul. 25, 2026

Thousands of other users posted their thoughts online about this poll question, with some lamenting the respondents’ lack of understanding of probability.

From MarketWatch Jul. 24, 2026

His blog, they argued, raised the public’s awareness and understanding of the high court.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 24, 2026

Wang called for an early resumption of negotiations and the implementation of a memorandum of understanding aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East and the Gulf region, Xinhua reported.

From Barron's Jul. 24, 2026

In an hour they had gone from some coded, genetic fear of fire, to understanding fire, to missing it when it went away.

From "Woodsong" by Gary Paulsen




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