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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.

When employees understand that giving feedback is an expected and normal way of working together, they are more likely to provide honest, valuable insights.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

But Spielberg somehow makes you understand why Dreyfuss’ Roy Neary is willing to walk away from his entire life and family over something he can’t explain.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026

Ahead of SpaceX’s blockbuster IPO on Friday, many investors have closely scrutinized the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission to understand how the business is doing.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 11, 2026

To understand the observations, the researchers ran computer simulations of heat transport in the upper atmosphere of a gas giant.

From Science Daily • Jun. 11, 2026

We know so much more about the brain today than the Phrenologists and the Whole Brainers did in 1850, yet we really understand only the rough outlines.

From "Phineas Gage" by John Fleischman




Vocabulary lists containing understand


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