1
as in to understand
to have a clear idea of
the age at which children can comprehend the difference between right and wrong
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to know
to have a practical understanding of
it took me a while to comprehend algebra
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to encompass
to have as part of a whole
our notion of morality should comprehend much more than proper sexual behavior
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 comprehend
Children and adults could not comprehend the tragedy ahead of them.
—
Mary Laporte, Hartford Courant, 19 Mar. 2025
Even the mirror against the far wall appears vacant as Cassidy stares, trying to comprehend.
—Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025
Coca-Cola’s brief essentially trots out the same list of qualitative differences that the company raised during the Tax Court proceedings, almost as though the court had simply overlooked or failed to comprehend them.
—Ryan Finley, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
One Trump adviser said a goal of the president’s speech would be connecting his rapid-pace actions so far to average Americans who may not yet comprehend the motives behind them.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for comprehend
Mary Laporte, Hartford Courant, 19 Mar. 2025
Even the mirror against the far wall appears vacant as Cassidy stares, trying to comprehend.
—Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025
Coca-Cola’s brief essentially trots out the same list of qualitative differences that the company raised during the Tax Court proceedings, almost as though the court had simply overlooked or failed to comprehend them.
—Ryan Finley, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
One Trump adviser said a goal of the president’s speech would be connecting his rapid-pace actions so far to average Americans who may not yet comprehend the motives behind them.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for comprehend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comprehend
Verb
-
At least conceptually, the Giants understand that the leap from 3-14 to Super Bowl contender cannot be made in a year.—
Howard Megdal,
Forbes.com,
1 Apr. 2025
-
It was not understood that the artist, through rigorous pictorial research, was aiming to chart the history of the image of female genitalia in the history of art from the classical period onward.—
Paola Ugolini,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Here’s what to know about Booker’s marathon protest.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
2 Apr. 2025
-
Visually they are individuated, but we are given to know almost nothing about them, and certainly not their inner life.—
Barry Schwabsky,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The order for American Dad! will encompass seasons 20 through 23, by Fox’s count.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Apr. 2025
-
Shondaland’s new Digital Media division will encompass all of the company’s digital marketing properties such as social media, a new A/V team for video and audio production, and the shondaland.com website.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
One such problem is a too-common vocal style that is expressed in guttural growls, making lyrics difficult to decipher — at least for me.—
Mikal Gilmore,
Rolling Stone,
30 Mar. 2025
-
Mathematicians are deciphered, disfigured, discounted, and dissolved.—
Richard Lederer,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Standard Edition – $59.99 Stars & Stripes Pack DLC: including helmet, pair of goggles, riding suit, bike livery, and a pair of boots.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
The specialty treatments offered include a Cécred Scalp Revival, a gentle exfoliation that nourishes the scalp, removes flakes and buildup and helps keep hair hydrated.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
This includes the emergence of theory of mind, the point at which children really start grasping the idea that other people have their own set of beliefs and representations of reality.—
Charlotte Hu,
Scientific American,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Jack Blues is sweetly grasping his 31-year-old dad’s face in the frames — which appear to have been taken after bathtime — while lying on a white towel on a tiled floor.—
Clare Fisher,
People.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Firefighters have not yet contained some of the strongest blazes, although officials hoped that a sprinkling of rain on Thursday would aid their emergency efforts, the Times reports.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Florida must find a way to contain the highly productive frontcourt of Derik Queen and Julian Reese.—
Tobias Bass,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
In addition to Thompson, the gala will recognize Starz with the ChangeMaker Award for their work in film and media.—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Organizations that view middle management as obstacles fail to recognize their critical role as translators, navigators, and stabilizers of meaningful change.—
Dan Pontefract,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Comprehend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comprehend. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share