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 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 The best indicator for quality versus price point can be ascertained from combing through reviews of consumers that have made the purchase before you. Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 20 May 2025 As a result, satellite trackers on the ground were unable to ascertain satellite positions and determine collision risk. Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 9 May 2025 But Carsten Jung, head of Macroeconomics and AI at the Institute for Public Policy Research, told Newsweek that new advances could mean some counselling jobs could be under threat, and the exact extent of the impact cannot be ascertained yet. Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ascertain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ascertain
Verb
  • First discovered: 5:52 p.m. June 8 Initial location: Placer County, Calif. Fire type: Wildfire Fire name: Deerborne A new wildfire was reported today at 5:52 p.m. in Placer County.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2025
  • State police discovered a Chevrolet Camaro Z28 that had hit a large tree with the front end facing a south-southeast direction, according to the warrant affidavit.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 8 June 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
  • Keep in mind that bush-type beans and peas generally don't need support, but pole beans require trellises or cages for their vining stems. Lupines: Many growers don't realize that lupines belong to the legume family and can also benefit neighboring plants with their nitrogen fixing roots.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2025
  • Most important, audiences now get to realize that Paul Gross is in this!
    Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 7 June 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
  • Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni told reporters after the match, which finished 1-1, that Messi preferred to come off rather than see Scaloni take off young playmaker Thiago Almada.
    Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 14 June 2025
  • Other parents witnessed the March on Washington, whereas my father saw Jackie Robinson don Dodger blue at Ebbets Field.
    Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 14 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
  • If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 June 2025
  • If the sky becomes threatening and thunder can be heard, find a safe place to shelter.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • Future studies with more participants—measuring the long-term effects of these diets—are needed to determine who benefits the most from each one.
    Simon Spichak, Health, 14 June 2025
  • There is no update on the containment progress of the fire and its cause has yet to be determined. Source: National Interagency Fire Center This story was originally published June 13, 2025 at 3:56 PM.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 14 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ascertain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ascertain. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

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