discover

verb

di-ˈskə-vər How to pronounce discover (audio)
Definition of discovernext
1
as in to realize
to come to an awareness of I was startled to discover that my keys were missing

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to find
to come upon after searching, study, or effort we hope to discover the real reason for his odd behavior

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to reveal
to make known (as information previously kept secret) discovered to his friend how people whom he had trusted had betrayed him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb discover contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of discover are ascertain, determine, learn, and unearth. While all these words mean "to find out what one did not previously know," discover may apply to something requiring exploration or investigation or to a chance encounter.

discovered the source of the river

When is ascertain a more appropriate choice than discover?

The synonyms ascertain and discover are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 it sensible to use determine instead of discover?

While the synonyms determine and discover are close in meaning, determine emphasizes the intent to establish the facts definitely or precisely.

unable to determine the origin of the word

When might learn be a better fit than discover?

The words learn and discover are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

In what contexts can unearth take the place of discover?

Although the words unearth and discover have much in common, 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 discover Detective Stephens says the remains discovered in 2023 revealed around 20 bones, and during the recent search, 26 more pieces of bone were unearthed. — Dawn Klavon, People.com, 13 Apr. 2025 Additionally, a valve on the deck of the stern was discovered in the open position, which indicates that steam was still powering the ship’s electrical system. — Toria Sheffield, People.com, 13 Apr. 2025 Is there follow-up support if something is discovered? — Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025 Overall, 712 cases have been reported with new cases being discovered in Kansas, Ohio and Indiana, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). — Filip Timotija, The Hill, 12 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for discover
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discover
  1. realize
  2. find
  3. reveal
  4. learn
  5. locate
  6. disclose
  7. see
  8. uncover
Verb
  • Obviously, Bubba didn't realize that Larson was going to check up that hard.
    — Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
  • More students came forward with lawsuits of their own upon realizing they were being spied on.
    — Barry Levitt, Time, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of realize
Verb
  • But if Romano’s fastball remains lost, the Phillies will have to find another right-hander who can fill an end-game role.
    — Anthony Stitt, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Garcia Aquino, who was arrested on the charge two days after Hernandez's body was found, faces six years in prison if convicted.
    — Charna Flam, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of find
Verb
  • Harry has Kiko take a look at the crate's contents, which are now revealed to us in all their gory glory.
    — Matt Cabral, EW.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Hamas has revised its casualty figures from the Gaza war, removing hundreds of names from its official list of war fatalities, and revealing that 72% of those killed were men aged 13 to 55 – a demographic largely composed of combatants.
    — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of reveal
Verb
  • To learn more about the slithery, slimy donation, visit here.
    — Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2025
  • The two developers are at odds despite finding each other devastatingly hot, until Cat learns about a secret plot to destroy Andi’s career, prompting the two to collaborate — and maybe fall in love.
    — Emily Martin, Them, 10 Feb. 2025
Definition of learn
Verb
  • The following year, authorities asked the public to help locate him, and prosecutors say his crime was delivering a pound of meth to another person for an incarcerated gang member.
    — Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Moreover, a lot of NASA's key science centers are located in Democratic-leaning states such as California, Maryland, and New York, which do not have a lot of power in the current Congress.
    — Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of locate
Verb
  • Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll has taken over the role, though the change was not publicly disclosed until recently.
    — Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Sam’s Club does not disclose its total number of members, but reported that membership income rose 13% in the fiscal fourth quarter.
    — Melissa Repko, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of disclose
Verb
  • Comments James Cameron has unveiled the first official footage from Avatar: Fire and Ash, though the general public may have to wait a little longer to see it.
    — Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Organizations must move beyond seeing procurement as merely a cost center.
    — Shaz Khan, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of see
Verb
  • The scene in Richard Donner's 1985 adventure comedy The Goonies in which the ragtag group of child explorers finally uncover the mythic pirate ship is one of the film's most unforgettable.
    — Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Thanks to a notable statistic uncovered by @WWEStats, this title challenge will mark Cena's tenth WrestleMania championship match, a feat unmatched by any other WWE Superstar.
    — John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of uncover

Browse Nearby Words

discourtesy
discover
discovered
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Discover.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discover. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

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