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 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 Singer is pioneering a new technique to incorporate small-scale simulations that can track individual particles to better ascertain the competing warming and cooling effects of clouds. Zack Savitsky, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025 This should allow the scientists to ascertain a more precise age for the flow of water across the parent body that birthed Ryugu. Robert Lea, Space.com, 10 Sep. 2025 However, precise membership numbers remain difficult to ascertain. Art Jipson, The Conversation, 26 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ascertain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ascertain
Verb
  • Investigators discovered additional body parts inside the Gein home, including the remains of Mary Hogan, a 51-year-old tavern owner who had been missing for three years.
    JR Radcliffe, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Miami police officers discovered a car riddled with bullets Friday night, with no one around.
    Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Drivers from outside of Finneytown, using GPS to find Dutch Bros, don't know alternate routes to the store.
    Patricia Gallagher Newberry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Analyzing its grocery orders that included candy in 2024, Instacart found each state's Halloween candy preferences.
    Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Afghans lost the ability to contact anyone within or beyond their borders, sending waves of panic worldwide as families, colleagues and friends realized an entire nation had gone dark.
    Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The video Cooney posted to Instagram includes security camera footage of the moment Ashley realized her mistake.
    Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Tennessean requested additional records to learn how many of those students are enrolled at each school, along with more detailed demographic information on the students.
    Rachel Wegner, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Mendelson couldn't be more excited for a new audience to learn about the legend who rewrote Hollywood's rules, captivated crowds and devoted her platform to the AIDS crisis.
    Bryan West, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Unfortunately, fans won't be able to see LeBron or Luka on the court with the team for Friday's game, though.
    Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Many who took the survey saw Goldberg-Polin as too moral to get involved in the rough and tumble world of Israel’s fractious political scene.
    Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Rayna James' house was located in Belle Meade, many scenes take place at the Bluebird Cafe, and other filming locations include Percy Warner Park, the Ryman Auditorium, Tootsies Orchid Lounge, The 5 Spot, The Parthenon at Centennial Park, The Grand Ole Opry, Biscuit Love, and more.
    Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Taylor does have a bus pass and has been previously located in Milwaukee, police said.
    Erik S. Hanley, jsonline.com, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • When striking nurses at nearby Henry Ford Genesys Hospital heard about the shooting, some left the picket line and ran the short distance to the church to help first responders, Teamsters Local 332 President Dan Glass said.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Advertisement The comfortable response—I’ve heard it a thousand times—is that over millennia economies have weathered automation many times before and with each prior technical leap, the labor market adapts.
    Toby Stuart, Time, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Currently, there is no information on the containment of the fire and the cause of it has yet to be determined.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Experts determined that Gaza City had slid into famine shortly before Israel launched its major offensive there aimed at occupying it.
    Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ascertain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ascertain. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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