CATCH ON (TO) Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

catch on (to)

verb

Definition of catch on (to)

as in to realize

to come to an awareness of she caught on to the fact that they were planning a surprise party

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to know

to have a clear idea of he finally caught on to the concept of phototaxis

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for catch on (to)

Verb

Some people didn't realize a data center was being built in their community until construction began.

— Dana Taylor, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
George Lucas, for his part, has suggested that bringing the Lucas Museum to fruition—a project beset by delays and controversy that has taken nearly a decade to realize—was a herculean effort.

— Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of realize

Verb

Expect to discover many novel flavors of Brazil—butiá, cajú, cumaru—worked into the menu in unique ways.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
Detectives believe 44-year-old Lacurtis Knight, from Tamarac, was hit Sunday by the car somewhere else, and then moved by someone to where his body was discovered, according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office.

— David Goodhue August 28, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of discover

Verb

Luiz understands that aspect, too, acknowledging that Sporting KC needed him four separate times during Thursday’s news conference.

— Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
Instead of starting with a new component, its engineers worked to understand the hardware already available to NAVAIR.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of understand

Verb

Barclays projects that palm oil, coconut oil, and rubber could rise by 30% to 40% over the next 18 months, coffee could see an additional 20% to 30% surge, and rice could increase by a further 10% to 20%.

— , CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Authorities initially said Saylor’s mother reported that her child had wandered off from a rental home in Hagley Estates in Pawleys Island and was last seen wearing her swimsuit.

— Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of see

Verb

These documents that make up your pathology report are important for guiding your treatment but can be difficult to decipher on your own.

— Nicole Pajer, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
And navigating a website might involve deciphering images or knowing what links to click.

— Jennifer D. Kobrin, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of decipher

Verb

Along with performances from Chappell Roan, Doechii and more, the festival provided a space where attendees could connect directly with the festival’s nonprofit partners and hear more about the issues and communities at the center of their work.

— Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026
Twice that day, Issa hears about earnest stuff Anton said to win voters over to Paul Baker’s side.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of hear

Verb

Miles This name is another way to recognize Miles Austin (or the number of miles players run to prepare for the season when no one is watching).

— Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 1 Sep. 2026
The result can be a company that AI fails to recognize, recognizes incorrectly or resolves in favor of a competitor.

— Joseph Byrum, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of recognize

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

catch one's eye

catch on (to)

catchpenny

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Catch on (to).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catch%20on%20%28to%29. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of catch on (to)

verb

Example Sentences

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