1
as in understood
to have a practical understanding of
a career diplomat who knows several languages a fan who really knows baseball
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in experienced
to come to a knowledge of (something) by living through it
knows full well how nerve-racking it can be to speak in public
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in saw
to have a clear idea of
I think I know what you're trying to say
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of knew
To a casual observer, the late-game pinch hitter stepping into the batter’s box Tuesday at Oswego East didn’t seem extraordinary, but Yorkville senior Brooke Ekwinski knew better.
—
Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
The ominous buzzing of phones, the commingling of accomplishment and humiliation, the sudden pathos of cheap glass awards, the rage at their now-former CEO’s $11 million paycheck… David Frankel’s film knew exactly which buttons to push in our particular audience.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2026
That’s why Goldberg knew what was coming Tuesday night in West Sacramento, California.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2026
The dress was all in the news, but nobody knew who was doing it.
—Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
Rousey was an Olympic judoka with a few professional fights and a name nobody really knew yet.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 29 Apr. 2026
The planning for the royal visit to Washington, in celebration of America’s semiquincentennial, was under way long before the British Embassy even knew who would win the 2024 Presidential election.
—Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026
Ismail knew that dignity came from self-belief first, from within.
—Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who knew him.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
The ominous buzzing of phones, the commingling of accomplishment and humiliation, the sudden pathos of cheap glass awards, the rage at their now-former CEO’s $11 million paycheck… David Frankel’s film knew exactly which buttons to push in our particular audience.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2026
That’s why Goldberg knew what was coming Tuesday night in West Sacramento, California.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2026
The dress was all in the news, but nobody knew who was doing it.
—Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
Rousey was an Olympic judoka with a few professional fights and a name nobody really knew yet.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 29 Apr. 2026
The planning for the royal visit to Washington, in celebration of America’s semiquincentennial, was under way long before the British Embassy even knew who would win the 2024 Presidential election.
—Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026
Ismail knew that dignity came from self-belief first, from within.
—Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who knew him.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knew
Verb
-
According to the testimony of Raffaele Imperiale, an Italian cocaine trafficker and fellow Super Cartel member, Kinahan understood the unspoken rules of the city.—
Ed Caesar,
New Yorker,
30 Apr. 2026
-
What’s more, the LA jazz scene, at least as Bellerose understood it, felt like a relic, with old clubs like The Baked Potato catering more to tourists than adventurous musicians.—
Grayson Haver Currin,
Pitchfork,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Other participants experienced the sounds within the context of their dreams; in one, the question seemed to emanate from a dream radio.—
Shayla Love,
New Yorker,
1 May 2026
-
Earlier this month, the Times of India reported an Air India Express pilot experienced a cardiac arrest at Delhi Airport on April 8.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Moving a blade back and forth to try to saw biscuits apart will make their layers stick (and ruin the rise).—
Ella Quittner,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Ruggeri says that, in comparison to saw palmetto, which gets far more attention.—
Adam Hurly,
Robb Report,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Lions had 42 varsity players this year, including 22 girls.—
Buddy Collings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The junior right-hander finally had some breathing room.—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Armenia was reliant on its close alliance with Russia for the first three decades of its existence, ensuring its protection against Azerbaijani attempts to take Nagorno-Karabakh, which was internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but under the de facto control of Armenia.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Steven Hager, writing in the Village Voice, in 1982, gave the burgeoning scene in the Bronx the reportorial treatment, widely recognized as the first major newspaper acknowledgment of the turntable innovation that was happening uptown.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But most states have already held primaries for 2026 so the high court's decision is likely to be felt more in the 2028 presidential contest or in 2031, after the next Census.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
-
What once felt like an opportunity to close has become something closer to a necessity.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The researchers then deciphered certain traits that were linked to the habit.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Kinsella was excited for Yates’ voice to be an easter egg—one of many voices to be deciphered by fans among a scream-singing chorus.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Upon arriving in Maryland that Tuesday Crosby, who’d had surgery in January to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, underwent a physical exam that included a series of imaging tests.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Bessant’s journey of personal resilience A breast cancer survivor, Bessant underwent a lumpectomy and radiation treatment at Novant Health.—
Chase Jordan
April 27,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Knew.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knew. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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