Synonyms of fathom

fathom

verb

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• plumb
• scale
• span
• gauge
• sound
• remeasure
• replumb

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of fathom

The sheer volume of the work — more than 1,000 photographs, along with video, sculpture and text pieces — and the intricacy of its detail are hard to fathom. — Sasha Weiss, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

The show’s popularity was something none of the three could have fathomed in its earliest days. — Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2026

Before scientists formulated their research, poets and naturalists had fathomed features of this intelligence. — Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2026

The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders officially have competition on the content front which is hard to even fathom. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026

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