Synonym Chooser

How does the verb ascertain contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of ascertain are determine, discover, learn, and unearth. While all these words mean "to find out what one did not previously know," ascertain implies effort to find the facts or the truth proceeding from awareness of ignorance or uncertainty.

attempts to ascertain the population of the region

When is determine a more appropriate choice than ascertain?

The meanings of determine and ascertain largely overlap; however, determine emphasizes the intent to establish the facts definitely or precisely.

unable to determine the origin of the word

When would discover be a good substitute for ascertain?

While in some cases nearly identical to ascertain, discover may apply to something requiring exploration or investigation or to a chance encounter.

discovered the source of the river

In what contexts can learn take the place of ascertain?

The words learn and ascertain can be used in similar contexts, but learn may imply acquiring knowledge with little effort or conscious intention (as by simply being told) or it may imply study and practice.

I learned her name only today
learning Greek

When can unearth be used instead of ascertain?

The words unearth and ascertain are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, unearth implies bringing to light something forgotten or hidden.

unearth old records

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 ascertain To ascertain a player’s biological age, the height and date of birth of their biological parents is collected and their height and weight tracked every three months or so. Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025 Prior to digitization, this could be ascertained by monitoring the circulation of screening prints between distributors in New York. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025 Liquidity events are a good way to ascertain positioning, as these big index rebalances allow institutions to move capital efficiently. Brendan Ahern, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025 The sweetest fruit The researchers of the new study, based at both American and Ivorian universities, sampled ripe fruit pulp from 20 species in both Uganda and Ivory Coast, using three different methods to ascertain the alcohol content. Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ascertain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ascertain
Verb
  • James Watson, who co-discovered the double-helix structure of DNA in 1953, has died at age 97.
    Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you, enrollment required.
    Harlan Vaughn, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The ones who needed to leave their mother tongue in order to find their true voice.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
  • More on the science behind the portfolio diet A few small studies led by Jenkins in 2003, including the trial that introduced the diet to the world, found an association between following the portfolio diet and a lower risk of heart disease and stroke.
    Renée Onque, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Running Fence was first proposed in 1972 but took four years to fully realize.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
  • While the moral comes through loud and clear, that’s largely because the film’s bland depiction of slumberland isn’t a fraction as well-realized — or even as fun!
    David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The researchers learned that people who ate very similarly to the portfolio diet had a 14% lower risk of developing coronary heart disease or stroke than people who ate less similarly to the diet.
    Renée Onque, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2025
  • For example, when a manager gives feedback to a team member, Cisco's learning platform will combine that feedback with other data points, such as the employee's skills profile, to generate personalized learning recommendations.
    Kelly Jones, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • But travelers could still see flight cuts even if the government were to reopen next week, as the FAA’s order requires airlines to cancel flights days in advance.
    Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Roaches were seen in the restrooms.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Most of the farms Spring Creek works with are in Northwest Arkansas, though some are located in the Arkansas River Valley and Delta regions; the food hub works with farms of varying sizes, Hammer said.
    Cristina LaRue, Arkansas Online, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Startzer believes the time for his program’s breakout is next at the fledgling DPS high school located in northeast Denver.
    Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Expect to continue hearing rumors about Swinney moving forward this season.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025
  • Prosecutors said Raleigh walked outside his home after hearing Chastain throwing rocks at his garage.
    Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 11 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Someone who is unable to work in mainstream punditry because his face no longer fits, but is determined to raise standards among those who do as an outside agitator.
    Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Pay attention to frost dates, rainfall, and snow levels to determine when to mulch and how deeply.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 8 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ascertain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ascertain. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.

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