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 Plus, monitor your heart rate 24/7 and take advantage of sleep tracking to learn how to sleep better. Christopher Murray May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025 That is when Simons reportedly learned that Babb was spending Live Slow money on Herman’s Hideaway, a venue on South Broadway that Babb co-owned. Justin Wingerter, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025 Santucci, the top left-handed prospect in the Mets’ system, said the skills learned by the trio during their time and Andover crafted them into the players who can succeed deep into the postseason. Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 16 Oct. 2025 The alarm bells around the absenteeism crisis partly relate to learning loss. Eli Cahan, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for learn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for learn
Verb
  • During a trip to Mallon Farm with Prince William, the Princess of Wales mastered fall style with a black turtleneck, a cardigan, and a utility jacket.
    Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Altogether, the ensemble was similar to countryside ‘fits worn by her predecessors, Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth, who had mastered the art of sporty but still feminine dressing for the UK’s chillier climates.
    Sam Reed, Glamour, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • One need only read the US State Department’s 2024 human rights report on China to realize that naming a Chinese official to a human rights advisory committee is analogous to putting a wolf in charge of a hen house.
    Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Byrne plays a mother whose precarious housing situation and family health crisis push her to the edge; Slater is her husband, away on business and — upon his return — stunned to realize just how bad things have gotten.
    Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Some residents have found debris as far as two miles from the facility, according to the Hickman County Sheriff’s office.
    Isabel Rosales, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Don’t expect to find an M5 in an iPhone, though.
    Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 16 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
  • Their speed means the drones can often get to a crime scene faster than an officer, the chief said.
    Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 13 Oct. 2025
  • But getting there may have been the easy part.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Lacks’ HeLa cells, which were discovered though her cervical cancer diagnosis, revolutionized virology, cancer research, and the quest for a polio vaccine.
    Erin Gifford, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2025
  • The film received praise following its debut at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, with producer Jamie Lee Curtis revealing at the cinema event a shocking story about discovering her mom Janet Leigh's romantic connection to the film through a discussion with Ludwig.
    Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The earthquake's epicenter was located roughly 2 miles south-southeast of Topaz Lake and occurred at a depth of 8 miles.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2025
  • The relatively remote area where the plant is located is typically patrolled by smaller law enforcement departments, so other agencies have volunteered resources for support, a source told CNN.
    Isabel Rosales, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • It was originally intended to protect electricity ratepayers from having to shoulder the costs of data centers in their communities, but now simply authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to study whether the cost-shift is happening.
    Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Researchers behind the latest science studied 90 participants with major depressive disorder and found lower LDAEP measures (which means higher serotonin levels) predicted orgasmic dysfunction from eight weeks of treatment with escitalopram with 87% accuracy.
    Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Learn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/learn. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

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