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.
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
"Over those years it was just too intense, too fierce, and things happened which even today I cannot comprehend why he has done them," Wolff said.
From BBC • Mar. 30, 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
The point Currie was making was that markets seem not to comprehend the logistical difficulties involved in moving different types of oil around, and the disruption it causes.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 19, 2026
Still, we feel we must comprehend intellectually what we perceive intuitively.
From "History of Art, Volume 1" by H.W. Janson
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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