understands

verb

present tense third-person singular of understand
1
as in derives
to form an opinion or reach a conclusion through reasoning and information as I understand it, this is the best plan that we have

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in knows
to have a practical understanding of I think I understand how an engine works now

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in recognizes
to have a clear idea of after a few weeks in Russia I began to understand the language a little bit

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of understands Deadline understands, for example, that Brittin sat down with Greg Peters when the Netflix co-CEO visited London in recent weeks. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026 Teplinsky understands this can be a trickier risk factor to avoid completely. — Norah O'Donnell, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026 Laura Benanti, one of today’s musical comedy all-stars, understands that human fallibility is at the root of genuine hilarity. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026 Rather than personalization happening entirely behind the scenes, users can actively shape what the system understands about their taste, creating a strong signal of intent for brands and retailers. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026 Niccol worked at Yum for more than a decade and understands that scale matters in razor-thin restaurant margins. — Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2026 Finding which one understands its specific challenge may need a conversation where questions can be asked and assumptions tested. — Bankim Chandra, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026 A student who understands the course content should be able to demonstrate that understanding regardless of the evaluation method. — Neetu Arnold, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026 Anyone who saw the Hornets get beaten up by Orlando in the NBA Play-In Tournament in April understands that the team had to get more physical at every position. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understands
  1. derives
  2. knows
  3. recognizes
  4. decides
  5. comprehends
  6. thinks
  7. appreciates
  8. sees
Verb
  • The power of prediction markets derives precisely from sucking our attention toward what’s speculable—incentivizing the networked crowd to separate signal from noise at scale.
    — Simon Denny, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The second type, structural assets, derives value from categorical assertion.
    — Joseph Byrum, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of derives
Verb
  • Hernández knows how to fire up a crowd in a big postseason moment.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Compounding the mystery is the fact that no one outside of Disney really knows how well The Shards performed for FX and Hulu.
    — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of knows
Verb
  • The honor recognizes artists whose careers and creative choices illuminate complex, boundary-crossing stories and expand representation in global entertainment.
    — Mathew Scott, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Best Pop Solo Performance can be a space where the Recording Academy recognizes — and perhaps awards — artists with songs that truly connect with the world, regardless of vocal chops.
    — Jaeden Pinder, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of recognizes
Verb
  • If India decides to limit rice exports due to concerns about domestic food insecurity, that will in turn increase global rice prices.
    — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026
  • If a community decides the potential benefits of such a project (jobs and reduced taxes, for example) outweigh its costs, the municipality should be able to move forward.
    — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of decides
Verb
  • In an oppositional reading of a media text, the audience comprehends that the message conflicts with or contradicts their personal experiences of society.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 May 2026
  • In the end, A Guardian and a Thief is a story that comprehends hunger more deeply than the world that produces it.
    — Tope Folarin, The Atlantic, 8 Nov. 2025
Definition of comprehends
Verb
  • Knowing someone's baseline characteristics is not the same as knowing what that person thinks about this decision today.
    — Leslie John, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026
  • What to read next For Mars, the team thinks that this balance was reversed, with roughly three-quarters of its mass appearing to come from planetesimals, and the remaining quarter from pebble accretion.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of thinks
Verb
  • This cruise is for anyone who appreciates spectacle, and especially for travelers who want a hands-off planning experience—everything, truly everything, will be served to you on a platter.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Affleck has now directed three films and appreciates Nolan’s approach to work.
    — Marta Balaga, Variety, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of appreciates
Verb
  • This year also sees the debut of Tasveer EDU, which will run sessions throughout the year on development, financing, casting, rights and distribution.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Beyond the food, Robinson sees the event as another example of Kansas City’s increasingly diverse restaurant scene.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of sees

Browse Nearby Words

understandings
understands
understate
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Cite this Entry

“Understands.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understands. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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