as in discoveries
the act or process of sighting or learning the existence of something for the first time
my detection of the scent of baked apple pie led me to the kitchen
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Recent Examples of detections
Sri Lankan authorities have also made several detections of large hauls of heroin and other narcotics smuggled in via small fishing boats in recent years.
—
CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Researchers also noted that antivirus engines initially showed zero detections for key parts of the attack.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Not all 87 candidates are expected to be confirmed, however, as some detections have lower confidence due to background contamination from unrelated stars, the researchers say.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 5 Apr. 2026
Recently Swift has more often been used to follow up on intriguing detections made by other observatories.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 26 Mar. 2026
Rivkin and de Wit’s Webb observations were among the faintest ever made of an asteroid, according to NASA and the European Space Agency — and the detections weren’t easy to come by given the narrow window of time to capture them.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 10 Mar. 2026
There have been four detections of bird flu in poultry flocks in Wisconsin so far in 2026, according to the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
—Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 6 Mar. 2026
In areas with a higher number of HPAI detections, such as Amarillo and Lubbock, the department discourages the public from feeding wildlife, including using bird feeders.
—Faith Bugenhagen, Austin American Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026
Many of these detections were for PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, the EPA doesn’t currently limit, or the measurements didn’t exceed limits the agency approved in 2024 for two types of PFAS.
—Austin Fast, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Researchers also noted that antivirus engines initially showed zero detections for key parts of the attack.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Not all 87 candidates are expected to be confirmed, however, as some detections have lower confidence due to background contamination from unrelated stars, the researchers say.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 5 Apr. 2026
Recently Swift has more often been used to follow up on intriguing detections made by other observatories.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 26 Mar. 2026
Rivkin and de Wit’s Webb observations were among the faintest ever made of an asteroid, according to NASA and the European Space Agency — and the detections weren’t easy to come by given the narrow window of time to capture them.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 10 Mar. 2026
There have been four detections of bird flu in poultry flocks in Wisconsin so far in 2026, according to the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
—Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 6 Mar. 2026
In areas with a higher number of HPAI detections, such as Amarillo and Lubbock, the department discourages the public from feeding wildlife, including using bird feeders.
—Faith Bugenhagen, Austin American Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026
Many of these detections were for PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, the EPA doesn’t currently limit, or the measurements didn’t exceed limits the agency approved in 2024 for two types of PFAS.
—Austin Fast, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detections
Noun
-
Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more.—
Jack Guy,
CNN Money,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The recent discoveries come as Curiosity and its fellow Perseverance rover continue to scour very different parts of the Martian surface.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Preliminary findings indicate speed and aggressive or reckless driving may have contributed to the crash.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
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Researchers say the findings could have broader implications for science, including studies on how cells resist damage from ice crystals and radiation over time.—
Brittany Miller,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detections.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detections. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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