Comprehend — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ˌkäm-pri-ˈhend/ com·pre·hend

Meaning & Definition of Comprehend

Comprehend (verb)

  1. to grasp the nature, significance, or meaning of
  2. to contain or hold within a total scope, significance, or amount
  3. to include by construction or implication

Comprehend (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to have a clear idea of

    "the age at which children can comprehend the difference between right and wrong"

    similar: appreciate, apprehend, assimilate, behold, catch, catch on (to), cognize, compass, conceive, cotton (to or on to), decipher, decode, dig, discern, get, grasp, grok, intuit, know, make, make out, perceive, recognize, register, savvy, see, seize, sense, tumble (to), twig, understand, pick up on
    related: absorb, digest, take in, realize, fathom, penetrate, pierce
    opposite: miss
    near: misapprehend, misconceive, misconstrue, misinterpret, misperceive, misread, mistake, misunderstand

  2. to have a practical understanding of

    "it took me a while to comprehend algebra"

    similar: grasp, know, understand
    related: appreciate, apprehend, cognize, fathom, follow, ken (chiefly Scottish), perceive, savvy, have, possess, catch on (to), pick up
    near: misapprehend, misconceive, misinterpret, misknow, misperceive, misunderstand

  3. to have as part of a whole

    "our notion of morality should comprehend much more than proper sexual behavior"

    similar: carry, contain, embrace, encompass, entail, include, involve, number, subsume, take in
    related: comprise, consist (of), bracket, have, hold, own, possess, admit, receive, compose, constitute, form, make, assimilate, embody, incorporate, integrate
    opposite: exclude, leave (out), miss out (British), omit
    near: ban, bar, debar, preclude, prevent, prohibit, deny, refuse, reject, eliminate, except, rule out, lose, mislay, misplace

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Comprehend

The most common words with a similar meaning to Comprehend:

appreciate, apprehend, assimilate, behold, catch, catch on (to), cognize, compass, conceive, cotton (to or on to), decipher, decode, dig, discern, get, grasp, grok, intuit, know, make, make out, perceive, recognize, register, savvy, see, seize, sense, tumble (to), twig, understand, carry, contain, embrace, encompass, entail, include, involve, number, subsume

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Comprehend

Words with the opposite meaning of Comprehend:

miss, exclude, leave (out), miss out, omit

Related Words for Comprehend

absorb, digest, realize, fathom, penetrate, pierce, follow, ken, have, possess, pick up, comprise, consist (of), bracket, hold, own, admit, receive, compose, constitute, form, embody, incorporate, integrate

Near Antonyms of Comprehend

misapprehend, misconceive, misconstrue, misinterpret, misperceive, misread, mistake, misunderstand, misknow, ban, bar, debar, preclude, prevent, prohibit, deny, refuse, reject, eliminate, except, rule out, lose, mislay, misplace

Word Forms of Comprehend

Inflections: comprehended, comprehending, comprehends

Derived words: comprehendible (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Comprehend

Middle English, from Anglo-French comprendre, comprehendre, from Latin comprehendere, from com- + prehendere to grasp get

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Comprehend

What does "Comprehend" mean?

"Comprehend" means to grasp the nature, significance, or meaning of. As a verb, it is defined as: to grasp the nature, significance, or meaning of. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Comprehend"?

Other words for "Comprehend" include appreciate, apprehend, assimilate, behold, catch, catch on (to), cognize and compass. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Comprehend" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Comprehend"?

There are 66 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Comprehend". Common alternatives include appreciate, apprehend, assimilate, behold, catch, catch on (to), cognize, compass, conceive and cotton (to or on to).

What is the opposite of "Comprehend"?

Antonyms of "Comprehend" include miss, exclude, leave (out), miss out and omit. Near antonyms include misapprehend, misconceive, misconstrue and misinterpret.

How do you use "Comprehend" in a sentence?

Examples of "Comprehend" in a sentence: "the age at which children can comprehend the difference between right and wrong"; "it took me a while to comprehend algebra"; "our notion of morality should comprehend much more than proper sexual behavior".

Is "Comprehend" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Comprehend" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Comprehend"?

"Comprehend" is pronounced /ˌkäm-pri-ˈhend/ and divided into syllables as com·pre·hend.

What is the origin of the word "Comprehend"?

"Comprehend" comes from Middle English, from Anglo-French comprendre, comprehendre, from Latin comprehendere, from com- + prehendere to grasp get. First known use: 14th century.