Synonym Chooser

How does the verb ascertain contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of ascertain are determine, discover, learn, and unearth. While all these words mean "to find out what one did not previously know," 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 is determine a more appropriate choice than ascertain?

The meanings of determine and ascertain largely overlap; however, determine emphasizes the intent to establish the facts definitely or precisely.

unable to determine the origin of the word

When would discover be a good substitute for ascertain?

While in some cases nearly identical to ascertain, discover may apply to something requiring exploration or investigation or to a chance encounter.

discovered the source of the river

In what contexts can learn take the place of ascertain?

The words learn and ascertain can be used in similar contexts, but 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

When can unearth be used instead of ascertain?

The words unearth and ascertain are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 ascertain That’s impossible to ascertain because MTC has treated the revenues from the programs as one giant pool of money and has not provided accounting that segregates the income and expenditures for each. Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial, The Mercury News, 10 Jan. 2025 For the Bucovina Convent, trying to ascertain exactly what the great schema nun would look like was fascinating. Liam Hess, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2024 The qualities ascertained, and their corresponding numbers, were meaningless to me. Caity Weaver, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2025 Beal would also have to waive his no-trade clause; presumably the teams involved would ascertain whether this was a realistic possibility before marching headlong into a deal. John Hollinger, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ascertain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ascertain
Verb
  • This fall the community discovered another problem.
    Emily Schwing, NPR, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Thankfully, men are increasingly embracing these practices and discovering their benefits.
    Essence, Essence, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Since one of the most fascinating stellar phenomena of our time will only be visible for about a week, find T CrB in March — and don't let it out of your sight.
    Jamie Carter, Space.com, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Around the world, the evidence for the value of social progress is conclusive: McKinsey’s global research found that companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on executive teams were 25% more likely to experience above-average profitability.
    Paul Klein, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Consider this medley the unofficial start to the 2025 promo tour for Wicked: For Good, which will release in theaters on Nov. 21 and realize the second half of director Jon M. Chu's musical adaptation on the big screen.
    Nick Romano, EW.com, 3 Mar. 2025
  • The moment an owner realized her dog isn't alone in his crate has gone viral on TikTok.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Read Next: These Renegade Hunters Are Skiing into the Backcountry with Their Bird Dogs But the most valuable part of the class is learning to make good decisions in the mountains.
    Ashley Thess, Outdoor Life, 14 Mar. 2025
  • That’s a pretty big revelation, and one that Mark is not happy to learn.
    Erik Kain, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Seattle saw some of Darnold’s best work up close in Minnesota’s Week 16 win at Lumen Field.
    Michael-Shawn Dugar, The Athletic, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Houston, which used just three reserves the majority of the night before emptying its bench in the final minutes, saw its bench total 25.
    Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • While only two of the six Massachusetts colleges targeted this week by the feds have campuses located in Boston, Tufts has additional facilities located in the Hub and Harvard is part of the city’s payment in lieu of taxes, or PILOT, program.
    Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The spacious property located in the first block of Dunbarton Court in San Ramon was sold on Feb. 14, 2025, for $2,155,500, or $679 per square foot.
    Bay Area Home Report, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • When people hear about large groups of people in class action cases, those people are typically identified in the discovery process, where the business will produce information and documents identifying people who have been similarly harmed.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Employees hear a buzzword tossed around in meetings, managers champion it in company emails, and yet many workers roll their eyes.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Here are four simple questions that can determine longevity of your connection.
    Mark Travers, Contributor, CNBC, 9 Mar. 2025
  • The disposition of Dahlin’s estate is being determined in a supervised probate case.
    Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ascertain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ascertain. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

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