comprehend

[ kom-pri-hend ]

verb (used with object)

1. to understand the nature or meaning of; grasp with the mind; perceive:

   He did not comprehend the significance of the ambassador's remark.

2. to take in or embrace; include; comprise:

   The course will comprehend all facets of Japanese culture.

comprehend

/ ˌkɒmprɪˈhɛnd /

verb

1. to perceive or understand
2. tr to comprise or embrace; include

Other Words From

• compre·hender noun
• compre·hending·ly adverb
• noncom·pre·hending adjective
• noncom·pre·hending·ly adverb
• precom·pre·hend verb (used with object)
• self-compre·hending adjective
• uncom·pre·hended adjective
• uncom·pre·hending adjective
• uncom·pre·hending·ly adverb
• well-com·pre·hended adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of comprehend¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English comprehenden, from Latin comprehendere, from com- com- + prehendere “to seize” ( prehension )

Word History and Origins

Origin of comprehend¹

C14: from Latin comprehendere, from prehendere to seize

Synonym Study

See include.

Example Sentences

"The biggest thing mainstream analysis refuses to comprehend is the continued power of a politics of racial grievance and religious nostalgia among white Christian Americans."

From Salon

Because light always shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never comprehend that.

From Los Angeles Times

For all our scientific and technological capacity, we simply have no way to comprehend how the climate crisis will damage human civilization over the long term.

From Salon

In ways we do not yet fully comprehend, this public health crisis is affecting a whole generation of students who are growing up in the wake of lockdown drills and school shootings.

From Salon

How can any parent begin to comprehend receiving a phone call from a stranger telling them that their daughter had been stabbed?

From BBC

Related Words

• appreciate
• assimilate
• discern
• envision
• fathom
• grasp

When To Use

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.