Which know synonym fits hinges on the object of knowing: a fact (be aware of, understand), a person (be familiar with, be acquainted with), a face or a sound (recognize), or a skill (be versed in). Few verbs stretch across as many jobs as this one.
Because it is so short and so common, know is hard to replace with a single word. Often the best swap is a phrase. The groups below show which phrase fits which sentence, plus options for knew, known and knowing.
Swatch at a glance
Best swaps
be aware of, understand, realize, recognize, be familiar withPart of speech
Verb (irregular: know, knew, known)Most formal
be cognizant of, be apprised of, comprehendMost casual
get, have a handle on, be up onAntonyms
be unaware of, forget, misunderstandWatch out
Realize means you just became aware. Do not use it for something you have always known.Word forms covered
knows, knew, known, knowing
Every know synonym sorted by job
| You know... | Try | Swap in action |
|---|---|---|
| a fact | be aware of, understand | I am aware of the risk. |
| a person | be acquainted with, have met | We have met a few times. |
| something by sight or sound | recognize, make out | I recognized her voice at once. |
| a skill | be versed in, be fluent in | He is fluent in Portuguese. |
| for certain | be sure, be positive | I am positive I locked it. |
| hardship | experience, go through | They went through hard times. |
Understand, realize and be aware: not quite the same
Be aware of means the fact is in your mind. Understand goes further: you see how or why. Realize marks the moment awareness arrives, so it fits a sudden change: "I realized the door was open." Grasp and comprehend suit ideas that take effort.
A text to a coworker: "I know the deadline moved." If the news is old, write "I'm aware the deadline moved." If you just found out, write "I just realized the deadline moved," which also hints you need a minute to adjust.
The realize synonyms page covers that verb on its own.
Chatty, neutral or official
The strip puts get at the chatty end and be cognizant of at the stiff end. Get suits friends: "I get it." Be aware of is neutral and safe in any email. Understand is polite and slightly warmer. Be familiar with suits skills and documents. Be cognizant of belongs in legal or policy writing, and can sound stiff anywhere else.
In a cover letter, "I am familiar with budgeting tools" is weaker than "I am skilled in" or a concrete result, so pick the stronger phrase if it is true.
Synonyms for knew, known and knowing
- Knew: was aware, understood, realized, recognized. "She knew the answer" becomes she had the answer.
- Known (adjective): familiar, recognized, established, famous, noted. "A known risk" becomes a recognized risk.
- Knowing (adjective): meaningful, telling, sly, aware. "A knowing look" becomes a meaningful look.
- Well-known: famous, popular, widely recognized.
- Knows: understands, is aware of, recognizes.
For the noun, see the knowledge synonyms page.
Before and after
- Do you know where the files are? becomes could you tell me where the files are?, a softer request.
- I know him from college becomes I met him in college.
- Everyone knows smoking is harmful becomes it is widely understood that smoking is harmful.
- I didn't know you were coming becomes I had no idea you were coming.
- She knows three languages becomes she speaks three languages.
Opposites and near misses
The plainest opposites are be unaware of and not know. Forget means you once knew. Misunderstand means you have a wrong picture. Be ignorant of is accurate but risks sounding like a jab at the person, so soften it: "I wasn't told." Also watch learn: it is how you come to know, not the state itself. See learn synonyms, with more verbs under action verbs.
Frequently asked questions
Which formal phrase can replace know?
Be aware of and understand are formal enough for most work. Be cognizant of and be apprised of sit higher still, suiting legal or official writing.
Instead of I know, what can I say?
Try I understand, I am aware, I see or I realize, depending on whether the fact is old or new. In casual chat, I get it or got it work well.
What is another word for known?
Familiar, recognized, established and noted all work. Famous and well-known fit people or places that many others have heard of.
What is the opposite of know?
Be unaware of is the most neutral. Forget, misunderstand and doubt each describe a different way of not knowing.
Can I use recognize instead of know?
Yes, when you know something by seeing or hearing it, like a face or a tune. For facts and ideas, understand or be aware of fit better.
How do I say I know a lot about something on a resume?
Use skilled in, experienced with or versed in, then name the tool or field. Adding a result, such as trained four new staff, makes the claim believable.