as in finds
to come upon after searching, study, or effort
I can detect just a hint of lemon in the soup
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 detects
The proposal would allow NYC a pilot program requiring the installation of technology that detects speed, and slows drivers down, particularly those who have a long rap sheet of breaking speeding laws.
—
Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 1 May 2026
How Waymo detects potholes behind the scenes Waymo's robotaxis already spend hours on the road each day.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
If a final algorithm detects a discrepancy among the four preliminary AI readers, a Progressive employee will determine the accurate option.
—Amancai Biraben, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
One bacterium detects a target chemical and produces a signaling molecule, while the second bacterium converts that signal into an electrical current that can be measured.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Apr. 2026
Its clever PositionIQ technology automatically detects its position and tunes the audio for the best possible sound.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 8 Apr. 2026
None of the heat anomalies, however, were indicative of damage – FIRMS also detects natural gas flares from the island’s oil facilities.
—Michael Rios, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
When Blub swims in a particular direction, the camera detects the movement and sends the vehicle rolling that same way.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2026
The device detects quick flashes in the atmosphere and is usually used to continuously map lightning strikes, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 1 May 2026
How Waymo detects potholes behind the scenes Waymo's robotaxis already spend hours on the road each day.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
If a final algorithm detects a discrepancy among the four preliminary AI readers, a Progressive employee will determine the accurate option.
—Amancai Biraben, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
One bacterium detects a target chemical and produces a signaling molecule, while the second bacterium converts that signal into an electrical current that can be measured.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Apr. 2026
Its clever PositionIQ technology automatically detects its position and tunes the audio for the best possible sound.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 8 Apr. 2026
None of the heat anomalies, however, were indicative of damage – FIRMS also detects natural gas flares from the island’s oil facilities.
—Michael Rios, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
When Blub swims in a particular direction, the camera detects the movement and sends the vehicle rolling that same way.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2026
The device detects quick flashes in the atmosphere and is usually used to continuously map lightning strikes, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detects
Verb
-
Johnson finds a disturbing manuscript raising questions about the author’s mental state.—
Sean Joseph OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
From glossy flagships and chaotic Don Quijote megastores (also known as Donki) to drugstores like Matsumoto Kiyoshi and Cocokara Fine, Japan is full of great beauty finds.—
Anita Bhagwandas,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Zion Phelps story is going to be told over and over at Loyola High to show students what can happen when someone discovers potential and decides to take a chance to bring it out.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
But as the decades pass, Mercy discovers an especially bitter spirit who is wreaking violent revenge upon the living—and when the spirit claims to know something of her past, Mercy must decide if her loyalties are to the living or the dead.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
The star learns beauty tips from her daughter, too.—
Jackie Fields,
PEOPLE,
5 May 2026
-
That means the robot collects its own data, learns from simulation and applies those lessons in the real world.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Where Wiseman locates emotion is in the use of the camera, the shifts in filmmaking style, especially as the movie, for a brief moment, flips to color.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Chaffee County Anyone who locates any items believed to belong to Sites, or has any information about his whereabouts, is asked to please leave the items untouched and call Chaffee County Dispatch at 719-539-2596.—
Jennifer McRae,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detects.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detects. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
