understand
verb (used with object)
to perceive the meaning of; grasp the idea of; comprehend.
had understood
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past perfectof understand.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
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.
Reichl had found the language for something I had understood only emotionally: food journalism belonged in the larger conversation about labor, politics, culture and power.
From Salon ● Aug. 6, 2026
Ruemmler said she declined to join Epstein’s 2019 defense team because the indictment alleged more sinister conduct than she had understood.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026
Kid Cudi, real name Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi, also said he was led to believe that M.I.A.'s team had understood his request to avoid potentially divisive statements.
From BBC ● May 5, 2026
Rosenbaum said the past year had "revealed that the old system had less legitimacy and was more fragile than I had understood, than was widely understood."
From Barron's ● Jan. 16, 2026
Yet transforming blackboard scribbles into a working device was not so simple a matter, as Szilard had understood.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
