CATCH ON (TO) Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

catch on (to)

verb

Definition of catch on (to)

as in to realize

to come to an awareness of she caught on to the fact that they were planning a surprise party

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to know

to have a clear idea of he finally caught on to the concept of phototaxis

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for catch on (to)

Verb

Smith only realized the error four months ago, when the album campaign was shot and everything was in motion.

— Lars Brandle, Billboard, 7 Oct. 2026
In a world fractured by power, fear and political extremism, a group of women uncovers a demonic force operating at the highest level of society-and realizes the chaos around them may be part of a much darker design.

— Annika Pham, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of realize

Verb

Just 20% of Gen Z knew their exact interest rate on their credit debt—the lowest of any generation and well below baby boomers.

— Joshua Hong, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
The low-lying coastal area is known for its powdery white sand beaches dotted with vacation homes, waterfront bars and seafood shacks.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of know

Verb

This is a play full of people trying very hard to be there for each other and discovering what makes that difficult.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026
Cosmic death The unnamed exoplanet was discovered circling the white dwarf HS 0209+0832, according to a study published in the journal Nature Astronomy.

— Devika Rao, TheWeek, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of discover

Verb

If a degree needs to equip students for life outside of college, then a big part of that is understanding what employers are looking for.

— Reynald Fasciaux, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
In addition to developing better medicines or perfumes, deciphering the mirror images of molecules can help scientists understand the chemical architecture of life, said chemist Holden Thorp, editor-in-chief of the journal Science.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of understand

Verb

But the argument for Oura’s valuation depends on whether or not investors are seeing it as a single-product hardware maker or something bigger and more expansion potential.

— Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2026
Audiences unaware that Altman is gay might pick up on subtle hints in Garfield’s performance, before Musk jokes about it during a dinner scene or a boyfriend is finally seen well into the film.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of see

Verb

In addition to developing better medicines or perfumes, deciphering the mirror images of molecules can help scientists understand the chemical architecture of life, said chemist Holden Thorp, editor-in-chief of the journal Science.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026
In addition to developing better medicines or fragrances, deciphering the mirror images of molecules can help scientists understand the chemical architecture of life, said chemist Holden Thorp, editor in chief of the journal Science.

— Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of decipher

Verb

My colleague Morgan Chittum, who just joined Fortune and who Term Sheet readers will be hearing a lot more from soon, dug into this question in a recent piece.

— Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026
In a complex case that took years to get to trial, jurors heard weeks of testimony from children who had lived with their parents at the compound, other family members, firearms experts, doctors and forensic technicians.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of hear

Verb

Scripture permits men to take several wives, but Indonesian law does not recognize those unions.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
The Langham actually staffs two recognized Les Clefs d'Or members—an elite concierge organization with only 3,000 members internationally.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of recognize

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.

Browse Nearby Words

catch one's eye

catch on (to)

catchpenny

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Catch on (to).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catch%20on%20%28to%29. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of catch on (to)

verb

Example Sentences

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