To comprehend is to mentally grasp something's complete nature or meaning. Comprehend is thus often a bit stronger than understand: for example, you may understand the instructions in a handbook without completely comprehending their purpose. Comprehend's second meaning is much less common. Using that sense of the word, we could say that good manners comprehends (that is, includes) more than simple table etiquette, for example, or that true courage comprehends more than just physical showing off. And something comprehensive includes a great deal: so a comprehensive exam, for instance, includes all the material that was studied in the course.
include suggests the containment of something as a constituent, component, or subordinate part of a larger whole.
the price of dinner includes dessert
comprehend implies that something comes within the scope of a statement or definition.
his system comprehends all history
embrace implies a gathering of separate items within a whole.
her faith embraces both Christian and non-Christian beliefs
involve suggests inclusion by virtue of the nature of the whole, whether by being its natural or inevitable consequence.
the new job involves a lot of detail
Example Sentences
the age at which children can comprehend the difference between right and wrong it took me a while to comprehend algebra
Recent Examples on the WebDu Bois grew obsessed with attempting to comprehend the moral failure behind the rise of white supremacy.Time, 15 Sep. 2022 Before the 19-year-old could comprehend what had happened, an auger had severed his right arm. Emily Corwin, ProPublica, 23 Aug. 2022 It is said to have focused on the need to share scientific data faster and to translate the science the agency generates into practical policies that are easy to comprehend. Helen Branswell, STAT, 22 Aug. 2022 Even before the pandemic, the Philippines had among the world’s largest education gaps, with more than 90 percent of students unable to read and comprehend simple texts by age 10, according to the World Bank. Jason Gutierrez, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2022 Adele later told Oprah Winfrey during her CBS special that Angelo was just starting to comprehend his mother's fame. Lynsey Eidell, Peoplemag, 18 Aug. 2022 At the same time, there’s no doubt Web3 has applications that Hollywood needs to comprehend, if only to understand how the next generation of consumers hopes to be entertained and engaged. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 18 Aug. 2022 Furiously typing away on their laptops while glancing at their phones and giving an acknowledging nod to their professor, these students want to see, hear and comprehend the world around them simultaneously. Irma Becerra, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2022 Marriott loved the marketing campaign’s results, even if its leaders didn’t fully comprehend how Ma generated them. Grady Mcgregor, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French comprendre, comprehendre, from Latin comprehendere, from com- + prehendere to grasp — more at get