understand synonym essay

Synonyms of understanding

• as in agreement
• as in appreciation
• as in compassionate
• as in deriving
• as in knowing
• as in deciphering
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Thesaurus Definition of understanding

 (Entry 1 of 3)

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disposition
• partnership
• association
• concurrence
• entente cordiale
• appreciation
• comprehension
• apprehension
• percipience
• realization
• consciousness
• assimilation
• visualization
• enlightenment

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• incomprehension
• misunderstanding
• misinterpretation
• misperception
• misapprehension
• noncomprehension
• miscomprehension

understanding

Thesaurus Definition of understanding  (Entry 2 of 3)

• compassionate
• sympathetic
• affectionate
• commiserative
• considerate
• magnanimous
• kindhearted
• good - natured
• softhearted
• warmhearted
• well - disposed
• largehearted
• tenderhearted
• good - tempered
• unsympathetic
• indifferent
• insensitive
• thoughtless
• inconsiderate
• uninterested
• cold - blooded
• coldhearted
• hard - hearted
• unrelenting
• disagreeable
• unaffectionate
• narrow - minded
• acrimonious
• small - minded
• hard - bitten
• hard - boiled
• ill - tempered
• ill - natured

Thesaurus Definition of understanding  (Entry 3 of 3)

• extrapolating
• ascertaining
• speculating
• interpreting
• drawing a conclusion
• rationalizing
• contemplating
• conjecturing
• finding out
• philosophizing
• doping (out)
• comprehending
• appreciating
• apprehending
• catching on (to)
• misinterpreting
• misconceiving
• misapprehending
• misperceiving
• deciphering
• recognizing
• assimilating
• tumbling (to)
• registering
• picking up on
• cottoning (to or on to)
• penetrating
• misconstruing

Thesaurus Entries Near understanding

understandable

understandingly

Cite this Entry

“Understanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understanding. Accessed 11 Apr. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on understanding

Nglish: Translation of understanding for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of understanding for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about understanding

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Synonyms of 'understand' in British English

Additional synonyms, synonyms of 'understand' in american english, video: pronunciation of understand.

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• understaffed
• understandable
• understanding
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Synonyms and antonyms of understanding in English

Understanding.

• A DECISION OR ARRANGEMENT BETWEEN GROUPS OR PEOPLE

Synonyms and examples

See words related to understanding, understanding | american thesaurus.

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a type of singing in which four, usually male, voices in close combination perform popular romantic songs, especially from the 1920s and 1930s

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Synonyms for “Understand”

The act of understanding refers to the process of comprehending, grasping, or making sense of something. It is a cognitive function vital for human interaction, learning, and decision-making. In the English language, various words mirror the essence of understanding but with different shades and contexts. This article takes you on a linguistic journey through the word “Understand” and its many counterparts.

General Synonyms for “Understand”

Synonyms for “understand” in academic writing.

The scholarly realm demands precision in language. In the context of academic writing, understanding signifies more than just mere comprehension. It implies a deep-seated recognition and a thorough grasp of the subject matter.

• Acknowledge

Diving Deeper: Synonyms, Definitions, and Examples

Delving into the details often brings clarity. Let’s examine some common synonyms for “understand”, their definitions, and contextual examples.

“The noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding.” – Leonardo da Vinci

Grasping the vastness of “understand” and its synonyms offers a richer vocabulary and a deeper appreciation of linguistic nuances. It underscores the human yearning to know, to decode, and to make sense of the world around. Each synonym, with its unique shade, enriches our understanding of, well, “understanding” itself.

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• 40 Useful Words and Phrases for Top-Notch Essays

To be truly brilliant, an essay needs to utilise the right language. You could make a great point, but if it’s not intelligently articulated, you almost needn’t have bothered.

Developing the language skills to build an argument and to write persuasively is crucial if you’re to write outstanding essays every time. In this article, we’re going to equip you with the words and phrases you need to write a top-notch essay, along with examples of how to utilise them.

It’s by no means an exhaustive list, and there will often be other ways of using the words and phrases we describe that we won’t have room to include, but there should be more than enough below to help you make an instant improvement to your essay-writing skills.

If you’re interested in developing your language and persuasive skills, Oxford Royale offers summer courses at its Oxford Summer School , Cambridge Summer School , London Summer School , San Francisco Summer School and Yale Summer School . You can study courses to learn english , prepare for careers in law , medicine , business , engineering and leadership.

General explaining

Let’s start by looking at language for general explanations of complex points.

1. In order to

Usage: “In order to” can be used to introduce an explanation for the purpose of an argument. Example: “In order to understand X, we need first to understand Y.”

2. In other words

Usage: Use “in other words” when you want to express something in a different way (more simply), to make it easier to understand, or to emphasise or expand on a point. Example: “Frogs are amphibians. In other words, they live on the land and in the water.”

3. To put it another way

Usage: This phrase is another way of saying “in other words”, and can be used in particularly complex points, when you feel that an alternative way of wording a problem may help the reader achieve a better understanding of its significance. Example: “Plants rely on photosynthesis. To put it another way, they will die without the sun.”

4. That is to say

Usage: “That is” and “that is to say” can be used to add further detail to your explanation, or to be more precise. Example: “Whales are mammals. That is to say, they must breathe air.”

5. To that end

Usage: Use “to that end” or “to this end” in a similar way to “in order to” or “so”. Example: “Zoologists have long sought to understand how animals communicate with each other. To that end, a new study has been launched that looks at elephant sounds and their possible meanings.”

Adding additional information to support a point

Students often make the mistake of using synonyms of “and” each time they want to add further information in support of a point they’re making, or to build an argument . Here are some cleverer ways of doing this.

6. Moreover

Usage: Employ “moreover” at the start of a sentence to add extra information in support of a point you’re making. Example: “Moreover, the results of a recent piece of research provide compelling evidence in support of…”

7. Furthermore

Usage:This is also generally used at the start of a sentence, to add extra information. Example: “Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that…”

8. What’s more

Usage: This is used in the same way as “moreover” and “furthermore”. Example: “What’s more, this isn’t the only evidence that supports this hypothesis.”

9. Likewise

Usage: Use “likewise” when you want to talk about something that agrees with what you’ve just mentioned. Example: “Scholar A believes X. Likewise, Scholar B argues compellingly in favour of this point of view.”

10. Similarly

Usage: Use “similarly” in the same way as “likewise”. Example: “Audiences at the time reacted with shock to Beethoven’s new work, because it was very different to what they were used to. Similarly, we have a tendency to react with surprise to the unfamiliar.”

11. Another key thing to remember

Usage: Use the phrase “another key point to remember” or “another key fact to remember” to introduce additional facts without using the word “also”. Example: “As a Romantic, Blake was a proponent of a closer relationship between humans and nature. Another key point to remember is that Blake was writing during the Industrial Revolution, which had a major impact on the world around him.”

12. As well as

Usage: Use “as well as” instead of “also” or “and”. Example: “Scholar A argued that this was due to X, as well as Y.”

13. Not only… but also

Usage: This wording is used to add an extra piece of information, often something that’s in some way more surprising or unexpected than the first piece of information. Example: “Not only did Edmund Hillary have the honour of being the first to reach the summit of Everest, but he was also appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.”

14. Coupled with

Usage: Used when considering two or more arguments at a time. Example: “Coupled with the literary evidence, the statistics paint a compelling view of…”

15. Firstly, secondly, thirdly…

Usage: This can be used to structure an argument, presenting facts clearly one after the other. Example: “There are many points in support of this view. Firstly, X. Secondly, Y. And thirdly, Z.

16. Not to mention/to say nothing of

Usage: “Not to mention” and “to say nothing of” can be used to add extra information with a bit of emphasis. Example: “The war caused unprecedented suffering to millions of people, not to mention its impact on the country’s economy.”

Words and phrases for demonstrating contrast

When you’re developing an argument, you will often need to present contrasting or opposing opinions or evidence – “it could show this, but it could also show this”, or “X says this, but Y disagrees”. This section covers words you can use instead of the “but” in these examples, to make your writing sound more intelligent and interesting.

17. However

Usage: Use “however” to introduce a point that disagrees with what you’ve just said. Example: “Scholar A thinks this. However, Scholar B reached a different conclusion.”

18. On the other hand

Usage: Usage of this phrase includes introducing a contrasting interpretation of the same piece of evidence, a different piece of evidence that suggests something else, or an opposing opinion. Example: “The historical evidence appears to suggest a clear-cut situation. On the other hand, the archaeological evidence presents a somewhat less straightforward picture of what happened that day.”

19. Having said that

Usage: Used in a similar manner to “on the other hand” or “but”. Example: “The historians are unanimous in telling us X, an agreement that suggests that this version of events must be an accurate account. Having said that, the archaeology tells a different story.”

20. By contrast/in comparison

Usage: Use “by contrast” or “in comparison” when you’re comparing and contrasting pieces of evidence. Example: “Scholar A’s opinion, then, is based on insufficient evidence. By contrast, Scholar B’s opinion seems more plausible.”

21. Then again

Usage: Use this to cast doubt on an assertion. Example: “Writer A asserts that this was the reason for what happened. Then again, it’s possible that he was being paid to say this.”

22. That said

Usage: This is used in the same way as “then again”. Example: “The evidence ostensibly appears to point to this conclusion. That said, much of the evidence is unreliable at best.”

Usage: Use this when you want to introduce a contrasting idea. Example: “Much of scholarship has focused on this evidence. Yet not everyone agrees that this is the most important aspect of the situation.”

Adding a proviso or acknowledging reservations

Sometimes, you may need to acknowledge a shortfalling in a piece of evidence, or add a proviso. Here are some ways of doing so.

24. Despite this

Usage: Use “despite this” or “in spite of this” when you want to outline a point that stands regardless of a shortfalling in the evidence. Example: “The sample size was small, but the results were important despite this.”

25. With this in mind

Usage: Use this when you want your reader to consider a point in the knowledge of something else. Example: “We’ve seen that the methods used in the 19th century study did not always live up to the rigorous standards expected in scientific research today, which makes it difficult to draw definite conclusions. With this in mind, let’s look at a more recent study to see how the results compare.”

26. Provided that

Usage: This means “on condition that”. You can also say “providing that” or just “providing” to mean the same thing. Example: “We may use this as evidence to support our argument, provided that we bear in mind the limitations of the methods used to obtain it.”

27. In view of/in light of

Usage: These phrases are used when something has shed light on something else. Example: “In light of the evidence from the 2013 study, we have a better understanding of…”

28. Nonetheless

Usage: This is similar to “despite this”. Example: “The study had its limitations, but it was nonetheless groundbreaking for its day.”

29. Nevertheless

Usage: This is the same as “nonetheless”. Example: “The study was flawed, but it was important nevertheless.”

30. Notwithstanding

Usage: This is another way of saying “nonetheless”. Example: “Notwithstanding the limitations of the methodology used, it was an important study in the development of how we view the workings of the human mind.”

Giving examples

Good essays always back up points with examples, but it’s going to get boring if you use the expression “for example” every time. Here are a couple of other ways of saying the same thing.

31. For instance

Example: “Some birds migrate to avoid harsher winter climates. Swallows, for instance, leave the UK in early winter and fly south…”

32. To give an illustration

Example: “To give an illustration of what I mean, let’s look at the case of…”

Signifying importance

When you want to demonstrate that a point is particularly important, there are several ways of highlighting it as such.

33. Significantly

Usage: Used to introduce a point that is loaded with meaning that might not be immediately apparent. Example: “Significantly, Tacitus omits to tell us the kind of gossip prevalent in Suetonius’ accounts of the same period.”

34. Notably

Usage: This can be used to mean “significantly” (as above), and it can also be used interchangeably with “in particular” (the example below demonstrates the first of these ways of using it). Example: “Actual figures are notably absent from Scholar A’s analysis.”

35. Importantly

Usage: Use “importantly” interchangeably with “significantly”. Example: “Importantly, Scholar A was being employed by X when he wrote this work, and was presumably therefore under pressure to portray the situation more favourably than he perhaps might otherwise have done.”

Summarising

You’ve almost made it to the end of the essay, but your work isn’t over yet. You need to end by wrapping up everything you’ve talked about, showing that you’ve considered the arguments on both sides and reached the most likely conclusion. Here are some words and phrases to help you.

36. In conclusion

Usage: Typically used to introduce the concluding paragraph or sentence of an essay, summarising what you’ve discussed in a broad overview. Example: “In conclusion, the evidence points almost exclusively to Argument A.”

37. Above all

Usage: Used to signify what you believe to be the most significant point, and the main takeaway from the essay. Example: “Above all, it seems pertinent to remember that…”

38. Persuasive

Usage: This is a useful word to use when summarising which argument you find most convincing. Example: “Scholar A’s point – that Constanze Mozart was motivated by financial gain – seems to me to be the most persuasive argument for her actions following Mozart’s death.”

39. Compelling

Usage: Use in the same way as “persuasive” above. Example: “The most compelling argument is presented by Scholar A.”

40. All things considered

Usage: This means “taking everything into account”. Example: “All things considered, it seems reasonable to assume that…”

How many of these words and phrases will you get into your next essay? And are any of your favourite essay terms missing from our list? Let us know in the comments below, or get in touch here to find out more about courses that can help you with your essays.

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Understand – Synonyms

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Generally, the word “understand” is used to state that a thinking process or happening of events is acknowledged and grasped. In other cases, it also expresses sympathy/empathy and confirmation of belief for someone’s feelings and situations.

However, more synonyms of this word will be introduced in the following article.

On our overview page for synonyms, you can find the best options of synonyms for a vast variety of words that are used in academic writing .

To the overview page for synonyms

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• 1 “Understand” synonym: Comprehend
• 2 “Understand” synonym: Sympathize with
• 3 “Understand” synonym: Believe
• 4 “Understand” – Synonyms used in academic writing

“Understand” synonym: Comprehend

The following accounts for “comprehending” as another word for “understand” i.e. that something is grasped.

• Be aware of

“Understand” synonym: Sympathize with

The following illustrates synonyms of the word “understand” with the meaning of sympathy, which is commonly used to express empathy and acknowledgment of someone’s feelings or a situation.

• Sympathize with
• Be able to see
• Empathize with
• Commiserate with
• Show compassion for

“Understand” synonym: Believe

The following illustrates “believing” as another word for “understand”, which is used to express comprehending and believing someone’s feelings or a situation.

• Be informed

“Understand” – Synonyms used in academic writing

In an academic context, the word “understand” is to be fully grasped not only in terms of the meaning but also the implications of something.

Are you looking for another word for “understand” for your academic paper? Have a look at the table below with the 3 top suggestions from our BachelorPrint-Team .

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• difficult to understand

adjective as in baffling

Strongest matches

• bewildering
• incomprehensible
• unfathomable

Weak matches

• hard to understand
• over one's head

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Words related to difficult to understand are not direct synonyms, but are associated with the word difficult to understand . Browse related words to learn more about word associations.

adjective as in puzzling

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On this page you'll find 16 synonyms, antonyms, and words related to difficult to understand, such as: bewildering, confusing, enigmatic, incomprehensible, mystifying, and perplexing.

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.