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

The market is oversaturated, and Riley is a genius for not only recognizing that but realizing that all of these new DJs are going to need lawyers to negotiate their contracts.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 2 July 2026
This young adult fantasy follows a 16-year-old who discovers a magical attack and realizes this new world of demons and mages has a connection to her mother’s death.

— Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 2 July 2026

Definition of realize

Verb

Cape Verde 40-year-old goalkeeper Josimar Jose Evora Dias, also known as Vozinha, became a fan favorite along the way.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
Sometimes there is a fine line between being a hero or a bum, but Dave has been able to negotiate that line, because players trust him, and the players know that Dave cares about them and their families.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of know

Verb

In April, authorities say investigators with the California’s Contractors State License Board’s Statewide Investigative Fraud Team discovered online advertisements offering construction services that did not list a contractor license number.

— Jasmine Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
As the two form a close bond, Laila discovers there's some weird business going on within the house that threatens both of them.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 3 July 2026

Definition of discover

Verb

When choosing a warranty, review the contract, check what is covered, and understand the claims process.

— Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 3 July 2026
However, it is rarely used on mainstream weather maps and by TV meteorologists, who favor the heat index that has long reigned supreme and is easily understood by the public.

— Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 3 July 2026

Definition of understand

Verb

The stadium has been packed, the FIFA World Cup Fan Festival downtown has seen record attendance, and watch parties and other events have spread across the region.

— Amy Wenk, AJC.com, 9 July 2026
The pair even goes on a quasi-date playing beer pong this week with Kendall and Shai, who can see right through Liam’s act.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 9 July 2026

Definition of see

Verb

In 2023, the Vesuvius Challenge made its first award for deciphering the first letters, and the following year, the project awarded the grand prize of $700,000 for producing the first readable text.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 30 June 2026
On Thursday, the University of Kentucky announced a new $1 million prize to anyone able to decipher a complete scroll, a feat the researchers once considered impossible, by June next year.

— Claudio Lavanga, NBC news, 26 June 2026

Definition of decipher

Verb

Growing up, Williford heard stories of ancestors catching giant grasshoppers, wrapping them in a maple leaf, adding a berry, then roasting them in fire and eating them like popcorn.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
In one video, several loud booms can be heard as a fireball appears behind buildings in the direction of the city’s port.

— Jamie Gray, NBC news, 9 July 2026

Definition of hear

Verb

Hayes was recognized as one of the trailblazing women in cybersecurity and has over a decade of experience in her field.

— Janice Gassam Asare, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
As of July 2026, 11 of 10,000 saints recognized by the Catholic Church have come from the United States.

— Vivian Wilson, Twin Cities, 8 July 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

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Style

“Catch on (to).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catch%20on%20%28to%29. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of catch on (to)

verb

Example Sentences

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