fathom

Definition of fathomnext
as in to plumb
to measure the depth of (as a body of water) typically with a weighted line the pilot had to continually fathom the river, which drought conditions had lowered to unprecedented levels

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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 fathom Last March, for example, the $3,000-per-ounce record seemed hard to fathom for both current investors and prospective ones. Matt Richardson, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026 Perhaps just as hard to fathom is that Foreigner retains headliner status without Jones or any of the group’s other original/primary members involved — at least not in a full-time capacity. Gary Graff, Billboard, 20 Feb. 2026 The reason isn’t hard to fathom. Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026 Some liked to have them on hand, and others couldn’t fathom not boiling eggs themselves. Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fathom
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fathom
Verb
  • This documentary plumbs the issue in a personal, entertaining and thought-provoking way.
    Randy Myers, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026
  • The surviving Wiggin sisters have done enough interviews over the years, that New Yorker article among them, that some of the mystery has gotten cleared up, for those who cared to plumb it.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Vietnamese airlines are planning to significantly reduce flights and scale back operations next month due to the high costs brought upon by the conflict, as well as potential jet fuel shortages.
    Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 1 Apr. 2026
  • But Blumhouse has built a much bigger business scaling that sensibility into something arguably less prestigious but more commercially reliable.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The buzzy, modern vibe of Trecca is reflected in its all-natural wine list, which span most of Europe and range from organic orange wines to Chateau Cambon’s La Cuvee du Chat.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
  • The company has been quietly operating since last year and now officially debuts with a development slate spanning, scripted, unscripted and a documentary that’s currently in production.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fathom.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fathom. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

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