learn

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb learn contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of learn are ascertain, determine, discover, and unearth. While all these words mean "to find out what one did not previously know," learn may imply acquiring knowledge with little effort or conscious intention (as by simply being told) or it may imply study and practice.

I learned her name only today
learning Greek

Where would ascertain be a reasonable alternative to learn?

Although the words ascertain and learn have much in common, ascertain implies effort to find the facts or the truth proceeding from awareness of ignorance or uncertainty.

attempts to ascertain the population of the region

When would determine be a good substitute for learn?

The words determine and learn are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, determine emphasizes the intent to establish the facts definitely or precisely.

unable to determine the origin of the word

When could discover be used to replace learn?

The meanings of discover and learn largely overlap; however, discover may apply to something requiring exploration or investigation or to a chance encounter.

discovered the source of the river

When can unearth be used instead of learn?

While in some cases nearly identical to learn, unearth implies bringing to light something forgotten or hidden.

unearth old records

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 learn Our little group was having too much fun trying to learn about the spirit to give him another shot at selecting a bourbon. Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025 Police learned the man had already fired shots and had possibly shot a woman who was inside the room with him, according to the release. Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Oct. 2025 Both Messners are also naturally curious and enjoy learning new skills, and beekeeping involves so much learning, Erik said. Janice Phelan, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2025 Kulsum, who works in the capital Jakarta, rushed to Sidoarjo after learning that Sulaiman was among the missing. Helen Regan, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for learn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for learn
Verb
  • No other team has been able to master it like the Eagles have been able to.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • From day one, new consultants rotate across industries, geographies, and functions, adapting on the fly and mastering unfamiliar businesses.
    Ruth Umoh, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Afghans lost the ability to contact anyone within or beyond their borders, sending waves of panic worldwide as families, colleagues and friends realized an entire nation had gone dark.
    Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The video Cooney posted to Instagram includes security camera footage of the moment Ashley realized her mistake.
    Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Drivers from outside of Finneytown, using GPS to find Dutch Bros, don't know alternate routes to the store.
    Patricia Gallagher Newberry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Analyzing its grocery orders that included candy in 2024, Instacart found each state's Halloween candy preferences.
    Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Other common features include key fobs or key cards, which can grant access to your home without requiring users to memorize a code.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 23 Sep. 2025
  • Sales teams unconsciously memorize product specs between REM cycles.
    Raghu Para, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The goal is to get a congress of 15, with at least eight members coming from Cincinnati's homeless shelters and seven representing people who live outdoors or in temporary housing.
    Elizabeth B. Kim, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Jonathan Taylor got the three touchdowns but was hardly explosive on a down-to-down basis.
    Michael Salfino, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Investigators discovered additional body parts inside the Gein home, including the remains of Mary Hogan, a 51-year-old tavern owner who had been missing for three years.
    JR Radcliffe, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Miami police officers discovered a car riddled with bullets Friday night, with no one around.
    Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Rayna James' house was located in Belle Meade, many scenes take place at the Bluebird Cafe, and other filming locations include Percy Warner Park, the Ryman Auditorium, Tootsies Orchid Lounge, The 5 Spot, The Parthenon at Centennial Park, The Grand Ole Opry, Biscuit Love, and more.
    Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Taylor does have a bus pass and has been previously located in Milwaukee, police said.
    Erik S. Hanley, jsonline.com, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But that's nothing new, say linguists and others who study verbal communication.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Looking ahead, China plans to launch its Chang’e-7 lunar probe around 2026, carrying instruments such as a seismograph to study the moon’s internal structure.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Learn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/learn. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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