1
as in to crack
to change (as a secret message) from code into ordinary language we deciphered the hidden message to find out when we were supposed to meet
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to understand
to have a clear idea of a convoluted thriller, the plot of which I was never able to actually decipher
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of decipher Players will have to decipher a puzzle with clues from another player. —
Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026 The clicks are part of a growing sperm whale phonetic alphabet that researchers at CETI are deciphering. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 26 Mar. 2026 When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, scientists identified the virus, deciphered its secrets, concocted a vaccine, put it into production, and rendered the disease manageable – all within a year. —David Blumenthal, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2026 Before diners are even seated, a quirky focal point is bound to elicit oohs and aahs, and many, many wandering eyes trying to decipher the meaning. —Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for decipher
Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026 The clicks are part of a growing sperm whale phonetic alphabet that researchers at CETI are deciphering. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 26 Mar. 2026 When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, scientists identified the virus, deciphered its secrets, concocted a vaccine, put it into production, and rendered the disease manageable – all within a year. —David Blumenthal, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2026 Before diners are even seated, a quirky focal point is bound to elicit oohs and aahs, and many, many wandering eyes trying to decipher the meaning. —Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for decipher
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decipher
Verb
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But as the ball swung around the perimeter, opportunities arose for the likes of Dosunmu and McDaniels to crack the paint off the bounce.— Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 24 Apr. 2026
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The physicality ramped up early in the second period when the B’s fourth line flexed their muscle and cracked Lyon.— Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
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Vandersloot, a key part of the Sky’s 2021 WNBA title run, understands that fans want another championship.— Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
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The device uses sensitive carbon rather than metal to deliver signals that are much clearer and more precise, enabling surgeons to map and understand brain activity in real time with far greater detail.— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 21 Apr. 2026
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Nearly all the instructions were relayed electronically from the director’s cave and translated by a bilingual assistant director.— Chang Che, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
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His tough blocking is his strongest attribute, and his background as a walk-on linebacker at Wisconsin should translate well to special teams.— Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
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Instead, a system known as PURL has been established, whereby NATO and Europe fund weapons purchases urgently needed by Ukraine, such as Patriot missiles (which can shoot down Russian ballistic or cruise missiles that target cities).— Trudy Rubin, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
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A lot of these fishing tournaments are won by these younger anglers that really haven’t studied the body of water, don’t know it like the older fishermen, but are still extremely successful with the new technology.— Mike McFeely, Twin Cities, 24 Apr. 2026
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Palace created little, with a functional midfield failing to break the lines and play balls in behind a defence that was comfortable sitting relatively deep.— Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
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Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert’s bid for a fifth DPOY award — which would break a record — will continue for at least one more year.— Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
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Kim Il-hyeok struggled to comprehend how after 10 years of planning, his brother only lived to see 19 months of freedom.— Mike Valerio, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2026
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Tabarrok cited a quote by the Italian philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli, that new things are harder to comprehend than old ones, even if the new ones might be better.— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Potier decodes that practically illegible document and creates a 3-D realization that grows from a fantastically complex swirl of interlocking geometries.— Justin Davidson, Curbed, 23 Apr. 2026
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In 2023, Meta, a member of AOMedia, named client-side hardware decoding as AV1’s biggest obstacle.— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Lopez will be recognized at a May 20 luncheon in Sacramento during California Classified School Employees Week.— City News Service, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
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Until recently, history has largely recognized this foolish law as a New Deal mistake.— Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decipher.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/decipher. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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