Synonyms of ascertain

ascertain

verb

ˌa-sər-ˈtān 

1

as in to discover

to come to an awareness of

was immediately able to ascertain that the girl was uncomfortable talking about her life at home

Synonyms & Similar Words

• discover
• realize
• see
• hear
• learn
• find
• find out
• get on (to)
• detect
• wise (up)
• catch on (to)
• get wind of
• discern
• hit (on or upon)
• perceive
• calculate
• spot
• figure out
• encounter
• tumble (to)
• descry
• observe
• espy
• divine
• note
• puzzle (out)
• dope (out)
• mind

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• miss
• overlook
• ignore
• disregard
• forget
• conceal
• hide
• cover
• curtain
• veil
• mask
• screen
• unlearn
• cloak
• blot out
• enshroud
• occult
• blanket
• shroud

2

as in to find

to come upon after searching, study, or effort

ascertained that their old colonial-era house had once functioned as a tavern

Synonyms & Similar Words

• find
• learn
• discover
• locate
• determine
• get
• detect
• find out
• track (down)
• hit (on or upon)
• dig up
• run down
• dig out
• hunt (down or up)
• turn up
• descry
• dredge (up)
• scout (up)
• ferret (out)
• rout (out)
• root (out)
• rummage
• scare up
• sight
• spot
• nose out
• seek
• espy
• search (for or out)
• look for

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• miss
• pass over
• overlook
• lose
• misplace
• mislay
• misset

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

Recent Examples of ascertain

The nationalities of 111 other missing people had yet to be ascertained, authorities said. — Arshad R. Zargar, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026

The cause of the avalanche is still unknown, while the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation in the aftermath to ascertain whether criminal negligence played a role. — Adam England, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026

Whereas these institutions all fall within the executive branch, the Smithsonian’s status is harder to ascertain. — Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026

Deierlein says that these measures are needed in the short term—at least until the cause of the damage can be ascertained. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 7 July 2026