comprehend
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
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to perceive or understand
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(tr) to comprise or embrace; include
Usage
What are other ways to say comprehend? To comprehend something is to grasp it with the mind. How is comprehend different from know and understand? Learn more on Thesaurus.com.
Synonym Usage
See include.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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uncomprehendedadjective
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self-comprehendingadjective
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comprehendernoun
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comprehendinglyadverb
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precomprehendverb (used with object)
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uncomprehendingadjective
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well-comprehendedadjective
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noncomprehendinglyadverb
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noncomprehendingadjective
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uncomprehendinglyadverb
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has comprehendedperfect 3rd person singular
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have comprehendedperfect
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are comprehendingprogressive
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have been comprehendingperfect progressive
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has been comprehendingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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is comprehendingprogressive 3rd person singular
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comprehendssingular 3rd person
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am comprehendingprogressive 1st person singular
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comprehendingparticiple
Past
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had comprehendedperfect
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was comprehendingprogressive singular
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comprehendedparticiple
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were comprehendingprogressive plural
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had been comprehendingperfect progressive
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comprehendedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of comprehend
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English comprehenden, from Latin comprehendere, from com- com- + prehendere “to seize” ( see prehension)
Explanation
To comprehend something is to understand it, like when you have to read a difficult passage more than once in order to comprehend it. When you comprehend something, you grasp its meaning. Comprehend is a verb that originates from the Latin word comprehendere, which means “catch or seize.” When an idea is clear to you and you understand it completely, you comprehend it, like doing extra problems to make sure you comprehend a difficult algebra rule, or finding it hard to comprehend why someone would paint his house neon yellow.
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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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.
Children were dying, and as the father of two young girls, I couldn’t comprehend why he would turn away from science.
From Salon • Jun. 8, 2026
“You cannot lose focus for a second of any of that. I don’t think anybody can comprehend that.”
From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026
Thank whatever god responsible that never happened, because the devastation of dropping just one nuke would be so horrendous that we can barely comprehend it.
From Salon • May 8, 2026
"I always believe in forgiveness, but I cannot comprehend how such a selfish act should be forgiven," said his daughter Kate, adding her father's death "was completely avoidable."
From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026
Sometimes, when there’s been an accident and reality is too sudden and strange to comprehend, the surreal will take over.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
