make sense of
Parse the meaning
To make sense of something is to understand or interpret it, especially when it initially seems confusing or unclear: I'm still trying to make sense of what happened.
The phrase implies effort—piecing together information, finding patterns, or reaching comprehension where none existed before: Scientists struggled to make sense of the data.
- understandGrasp the meaning
- graspSeize or understand
- comprehendTo fully understand
- get a handle onAchieve understanding or control
- decipherConvert code to plaintext
interpret · decode · puzzle · clarity · insight · shed light on · figure out · untangle · unravel · piece together · put two and two together · click · dawn · aha · realize · fathom · digest · process
- explanationswhy, how come, explication, what happened, definition
- Understanding Othersknow someone, see through, figure out, size up, empathize
- communicateexpress, convey, communicate, tell, share
- put togetherput together, connect, join, merge, fuse