fathom

/ˈfæðəm/verb

To understand something difficult or puzzling after thinking about it.

Example sentences

“I can't fathom why anyone would pay that much for a sandwich.”
“Investigators are still trying to fathom what caused the crash.”
“She couldn't fathom how he had finished the exam so quickly.”

Usually negative, with 'can't' or 'couldn't'. As a noun, a fathom is a unit of water depth equal to six feet.

Synonyms for fathom

understand
comprehend
grasp
make sense of
figure out

Antonyms

misunderstand

Find it in: Advanced English words.

Related words

fastidiousPaying extremely close attention to detail and wanting everything to be exactly right.fallacyAn idea that many people believe but that is false, often because it is based on faulty reasoning.felicityA graceful, well-chosen way of putting things in speech or writing.facilitateTo help a process happen more smoothly or with less difficulty.facetiousJoking about serious matters in a way that seems out of place.ferventFeeling or showing strong, sincere passion.