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 Those images are instantaneously analyzed by a computer system, which ascertains the species, size and other characteristics of each animal. New Atlas, 12 May 2025 Reuters could not ascertain the owner of this wallet. Trump's Stablecoin Chosen For $2 Billion Abu Dhabi Investment In Binance, Co-Founder Says Thursday,, USA Today, 1 May 2025 Amateur additions, or those pros who sign from European leagues each summer, are not well known to fans, but scouting reports help in ascertaining what the new GM is looking to add to the roster. Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 On Friday, Trump himself was asked for help in ascertaining what the files contain and whether there are any bombshells. Josh Meyer, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ascertain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ascertain
Verb
  • Egyptian archaeologists have discovered tombs dating back to the New Kingdom period (1550–1070 B.C.) and identified the names and titles of their owners through inscriptions found within, according to a statement by the tourism and antiquities ministry.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
  • It's been a real pleasure to discover the plethora of young talent out there.
    Mekishana Pierre Updated, EW.com, 27 May 2025
Verb
  • Fears that a serial killer is at large were reignited by the recent discovery of a body in a Texas lake, where 19 corpses have been found over the past three years.
    Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 June 2025
  • If finding indoor shelter is not an option: Stay away from open fields, hill summits, or ridge tops.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 7 June 2025
Verb
  • After hearing chatter on the radio about the Seattle aquarium, Ellie realizes that Nora (Tati Gabrielle) hinted that Abby was hiding out there.
    Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 26 May 2025
  • But maybe if the Sun Sentinel published a game story once in awhile, the people of South Florida would realize that Miami actually has a big-league team.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 26 May 2025
Verb
  • Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is a $10 mini-game collection that tasks players with studiously learning and implementing every new feature in the system.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 5 June 2025
  • Hannah Einbinder, Natasha Lyonne and Jessica Williams embrace nudity, mutual adoration and finally learning to stop chasing each other's careers.
    Lacey Rose, HollywoodReporter, 5 June 2025
Verb
  • Patchy Mix Betting Odds and Line Movement With Mix being somewhat of an unknown to many fight fans who spend most of their time focusing on the UFC, the opening odds for this contest saw Mix and Bautista both listed at -110.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
  • The strength in sports reflected the wider rebound seen in the broader markets, which saw action in the month dominated by knee-jerk reactions to Trump tariff announcements followed by sharp rebound days due what investors began calling the TACO trade.
    Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • No one supposedly could locate the accused to bring to trial, despite the men belonging to one of England’s highest nobility houses.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 6 June 2025
  • The lounge, which is fittingly located in the hotel’s seafront garden, takes design cues from Riva’s iconic runabouts, naturally.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 5 June 2025
Verb
  • Numbers don’t mean much if women or non-White soldiers don’t feel valued and heard.
    John Blake, CNN Money, 26 May 2025
  • As traffic piles up behind them, a yell and a bang can be heard as the Chevy driver pulls out, running Cifuni over and dragging her down the street.
    John Annese, New York Daily News, 26 May 2025
Verb
  • Cohen said this would help determine if vehicles had any missing parts before the tow, a seeming nod to the news organizations’ story about a DMV employee who the agency’s investigators found schemed with a towing company to undervalue vehicles and sell them for thousands in profit.
    Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 1 June 2025
  • Phone surveys, electronic health records and the Social Security Death Index were used to determine whether cardiac events or deaths from any cause had occurred up to one year after hospital discharge.
    American Heart Association News, Boston Herald, 1 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ascertain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ascertain. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.

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