DISCOVERY Synonyms: 25 Similar and Opposite Words

discovery

noun

di-ˈskə-v(ə-)rē

Definition of discovery

as in finding

the act or process of sighting or learning the existence of something for the first time the discovery of a new species of starfish

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in find

something discovered his many zoological discoveries include several species of birds

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 discovery An arena of discovery, the Hobbit-hole-like store is also a place to find a reliable hat, like Evan Kinori’s cozy tweed beanie. — New York Times, 31 July 2026 Those discoveries would inform his only etching that did not draw on a prior painting, Fly Fishing, Saranac Lake, (1889). — Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 31 July 2026 The fight is seemingly far from over, though, with Engelmayer noting that SerpApi and Perplexity AI may prove through discovery that Reddit never authorized Google to protect its content in search results. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026 While artificial intelligence played a key role in finding the candidates, the discoveries highlight the scientific potential hidden within the massive datasets produced by modern astronomy. — Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for discovery

Recent Examples of Synonyms for discovery

Noun

The findings come as the debate surrounding the I-77 South tolls project rages on.

— DJ Simmons, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026
Consequently, the company says that its findings are an accurate measure of the likelihood that a borrower paid more than competitive market rates.

— Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026

Definition of finding

Noun

Using blood detection methods, crime scene investigators also found blood remnants on the holes, the floor below, the kitchen sink, bathroom sink and bathroom floor.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2026
New detection tools IEEE conducted a pilot program in 2024 to integrate tools from the International Association of Scientific, Technical, and Medical Publishers (STM) Integrity Hub into the peer-review workflow of IEEE Access.

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 30 July 2026

Definition of detection

Noun

But capturing a liftoff live from the moon was the next logical step to chronicle NASA's lunar exploration in real-time.

— Tariq Malik, Space.com, 2 Aug. 2026
His explorations of being poor, marginal, and stereotyped took many forms, including drawing and painting, which are the focuses of a posthumous exhibition of his work at the Drawing Center.

— Coco Fusco, The New York Review of Books, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of exploration

Noun

Now, after entering Europe in 2023 with a London store, the brand has its sights on further international expansion, in brand awareness and distribution, with Europe first in line.

— Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 4 Aug. 2026
The initiative began in 2016 as a way to honor and build awareness for African, African American and Caribbean cuisine with partnerships, culinary events and marketing campaigns intended to highlight small, local food and beverage businesses.

— Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of awareness

Browse Nearby Words

discovers

discovery

discredit

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Discovery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discovery. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of discovery

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on discovery

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

élan

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes