Synonyms of learn

learn

verb

ˈlərn 

1

as in to master

to acquire complete knowledge, understanding, or skill in

after months of trying, he finally learned the dance steps

Synonyms & Similar Words

• master
• get
• understand
• know
• discover
• see
• pick up
• hear
• comprehend
• grasp
• get the hang of
• absorb
• apprehend
• assimilate
• examine
• study
• detect
• ascertain
• determine
• discern
• memorize
• digest
• find out
• imbibe
• drink (in)
• search (for)
• track (down)
• run down
• hit (on or upon)
• dig up
• unearth
• tumble (to)
• descry
• scare up
• major (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• forget
• unlearn
• miss
• ignore
• overlook
• misunderstand
• disregard
• neglect

2

as in to realize

to come to an awareness of

the directors have since learned that they should examine the company's financial reports a little more closely

Synonyms & Similar Words

• realize
• discover
• see
• hear
• find
• ascertain
• find out
• get on (to)
• wise (up)
• detect
• catch on (to)
• get wind of
• encounter
• perceive
• hit (on or upon)
• figure out
• discern
• observe
• spot
• calculate
• tumble (to)
• note
• divine
• descry
• espy
• puzzle (out)
• dope (out)
• mind

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• miss
• ignore
• overlook
• forget
• disregard
• hide
• cover
• conceal
• unlearn
• curtain
• veil
• mask
• screen
• cloak
• blot out
• occult
• blanket
• enshroud
• shroud

3

as in to find

to come upon after searching, study, or effort

the police were astonished when they learned the identity of the students who had vandalized the school

Synonyms & Similar Words

• find
• discover
• locate
• get
• detect
• ascertain
• determine
• find out
• track (down)
• run down
• hit (on or upon)
• hunt (down or up)
• dig out
• dig up
• turn up
• scout (up)
• dredge (up)
• rout (out)
• ferret (out)
• rummage
• descry
• root (out)
• scare up
• seek
• sight
• nose out
• spot
• look for
• search (for or out)
• espy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• miss
• pass over
• overlook
• lose
• misplace
• mislay
• misset

4

as in to memorize

to commit to memory

he learned the words to the song while performing karaoke

Synonyms & Similar Words

• memorize
• study
• know
• remember
• understand
• retain
• grasp
• recall
• get
• accept
• recollect
• think (of)
• comprehend
• con
• absorb
• apprehend
• relive
• digest
• mind
• reminisce (about)
• hark back (to)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unlearn
• forget
• ignore
• disregard
• slight
• neglect
• pass over
• overlook
• disremember
• misremember
• slur (over)
• overpass

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

Recent Examples of learn

In health and wellness, machine learning already powers drug discovery, patient segmentation, and outcome tracking. —Aisha Alves, Rolling Stone, 3 Feb. 2026

Family appeals for help Savannah Guthrie traveled to Arizona after learning of her mother’s disappearance. —Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 3 Feb. 2026

Selectors learn during their annual meeting which modern-era finalists made the final seven. —Mike Sando, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026

There is always room for academic improvement and no one way to teach or learn. —Froylan Jimenez, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026