COMPREHEND Synonyms: 95 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'comprehend' distinct from other similar verbs?

The words appreciate and understand are common synonyms of comprehend . While all three words mean "to have a clear or complete idea of," comprehend may stress the process of coming to grips with something intellectually. // I have trouble comprehending your reasons for doing this

Q: When is it sensible to use 'appreciate' instead of 'comprehend'?

While the synonyms appreciate and comprehend are close in meaning, appreciate implies a just evaluation or judgment of a thing's value or nature. // failed to appreciate the risks involved

Q: How are the words 'understand' and 'comprehend' related?

Both understand and comprehend are very often interchangeable, with understand sometimes stressing the fact of having attained a firm mental grasp of something. // orders that were fully understood and promptly obeyed

comprehend

verb

ˌkäm-pri-ˈhend

Definition of comprehend next

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

as in to know

to have a practical understanding of it took me a while to comprehend algebra

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word comprehend distinct from other similar verbs?

The words appreciate and understand are common synonyms of comprehend. While all three words mean "to have a clear or complete idea of," comprehend may stress the process of coming to grips with something intellectually.

I have trouble comprehending your reasons for doing this

When is it sensible to use appreciate instead of comprehend?

While the synonyms appreciate and comprehend are close in meaning, appreciate implies a just evaluation or judgment of a thing's value or nature.

failed to appreciate the risks involved

How are the words understand and comprehend related?

Both understand and comprehend are very often interchangeable, with understand sometimes stressing the fact of having attained a firm mental grasp of something.

orders that were fully understood and promptly obeyed

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 Marcy Thompson: The central thesis of Margarethe's paper was hard for the men in the room to comprehend. —

Marcy Thompson, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2025 The level of devastation Los Angeles has just experienced is hard for any of us to comprehend. —

Emma Marie Jenkinson, Vogue, 24 Jan. 2025 Famously, his digressive speeches require deep immersion in right-wing lore to comprehend. —

Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025 Shouldn’t Trump consider an executive order prohibiting any federal regulation that requires specialized lawyers charging more than $500 per hour to comprehend? —

Armstrong Williams, Orange County Register, 13 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for comprehend

Recent Examples of Synonyms for comprehend

Verb

However, understanding these potential impacts could help prepare humanity for this possible future.

— Victoria Corless, Space.com, 11 Feb. 2025
Representing immigrant moms everywhere, who appreciate the paper bag their son’s girlfriend brought home more than the vegan sliders inside, host Pascal does an incredible job of selling jokes that the audience may not fully understand, but can feel in their spirit.

— Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 11 Feb. 2025