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 Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams says his office is combing through jail call logs and cross-referencing fingerprints and DNA samples to ascertain who else working at the jail may have been involved. Kati Weis, CBS News, 29 May 2025 The amount of Plaintiff's damages will be ascertained at trial. Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025 Through the middle of April, this logistics behemoth interviewed nearly 45,000 international and freight forwarding customers to ascertain their shipping plans. Steve Banker, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025 Consumers who know how much tariffs have increased prices can ascertain whether price hikes exceed the amount of the tariffs. Jeff Sovern, Baltimore Sun, 24 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for ascertain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ascertain
Verb
  • That entrance was eventually discovered in Nueva Tijuana, a neighborhood only a few blocks from the U.S. border.
    Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025
  • Cops responding to a 911 call around 1:30 p.m. discovered the woman unconscious and unresponsive in a house on Avenue X near W. 13th St. in Gravesend, according to police.
    Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Details on past launches can be found at the end of file.
    Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 June 2025
  • Nick Castellanos found himself in unfamiliar territory during the first pitch of the Philadelphia Phillies game against the Miami Marlins on Tuesday.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • My brain kept convincing me that I had been stung and just didn’t realize it.
    Jordan Greene, People.com, 19 June 2025
  • Although in-the-know locals flock here on the weekends, most beach connoisseurs don't even realize this pristine seven-mile stretch of paradise exists.
    Kara Franker, Southern Living, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • In the Family and Consumer Sciences, students learn topics such as culinary and nutrition studies and hospitality and food service industry work.
    Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025
  • To learn more about Blanco Ahumado, as well as the history and legacy of Clase Azul, visit claseazul.com.
    Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • And club captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen is first on the list of those the club would like to see leave before the end of the transfer window.
    Pol Ballús, New York Times, 27 June 2025
  • Lorde keeps it casual in New York as she is seen outside of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on June 24.
    Grace Harrington, People.com, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • That same Friday evening at the Russell soundstage, located in another corner of industrial Long Island, things are grander than ever.
    Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 17 June 2025
  • Our constituents, our voters, the public should be able to locate us.
    Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 19 June 2025
  • In auditoriums and convention centers, businesspeople, educators, salespeople, and homemakers gathered to hear speakers such as Norman Vincent Peale, Zig Ziglar, and Art Linkletter, among others, extol the virtues of positive thinking, unbridled optimism, and hard work.
    Robert B. Tucker, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • Kyoto attracts 75 million annual visitors to its 1,000 Buddhist temples and was cited in 1.2 million online searches and 23 million hashtags, the study determined.
    Gary Stoller, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
  • At the time, new vaccines for measles and polio had recently come online, and national health leaders felt the need for a regular panel of experts to determine how best to use these and other products to protect the public.
    Pien Huang, NPR, 25 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ascertain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ascertain. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on ascertain

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!