Comprehend
Comprehend verb - To have a clear idea of.
Explain and comprehend are semantically related in construe topic. In some cases you can use "Explain" instead a verb "Comprehend".
Explain
Explain verb - To make plain or understandable.
Comprehend and explain are semantically related in construe topic. Sometimes you can use "Comprehend" instead a verb "Explain".
Mutual synonyms
Common collocations
| power | comprehend power | explain power |
| relationship | comprehend relationship | explain relationship |
| nature | comprehend nature | explain nature |
| death | comprehend death | explain death |
| Other words: situation, time, fact, difference, actions, absence, concept, existence, plans, behavior, feelings, powers, concepts, motives. | ||
Both words in one sentence
- The Ingenue: Twelve is a savvy twelve-year-old genius who is able to comprehend and explain the Troops' internal mechanisms, as well as being artistically and socially gifted.
Source: Literature / When Rabbit Howls -
Also when Phineas is trying to explain the situation to Candace, and when she fails to comprehend the situation, he says that he wishes that he had never thrown the pamphlet away.
- Unfortunately, it doesn't appear as though Juhani was able to explain (or that Dak could comprehend) why - it's strongly implied that Juhani is a lesbian.
Source: "You're Not My Type"
Cite this Source
Explain and Comprehend. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 31, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/comprehend/explain
Comprehend & Explain. N.p., 2016. Web. 31 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/comprehend/explain>.
Explain or Comprehend. 2016. Accessed July 31, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/comprehend/explain.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "comprehend" and "explain" have occurred on timeline