comprehend
Usage
What are other ways to say comprehend?
To comprehend is to know something thoroughly and to perceive its relationships to certain other ideas, facts, etc. 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 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.
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.
"It is incredibly difficult to comprehend that a life with so much promise has been cut so short, and our whole community is deeply saddened by this loss."
From BBC • May 4, 2026
"I always believe in forgiveness, but I cannot comprehend how such a selfish act should be forgiven," said his daughter Kate, adding her father's death "was completely avoidable."
From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026
When the Apollo program ended in 1972, we children couldn’t comprehend budget constraints or having bested our Soviet rivals in a long-running “space race.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026
Even if you don’t trust her motivations when she’s saying something or completely comprehend it, it seems true.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026
I think you must know Hartfield enough to comprehend that.”
From "Emma" by Jane Austen
Vocabulary lists containing comprehend
Vocabulary of the Common Core
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List 4
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Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
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