DISCOVER Synonyms: 146 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

discover

verb

di-ˈskə-vər

Definition of discover next

as in to realize

to come to an awareness of I was startled to discover that my keys were missing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

Examples 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 Human remains and 15 grave shafts were discovered late last month by Indianapolis Department of Public Works crews during excavation for the Henry Street Bridge project. —

Jade Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 5 Nov. 2024 The missing back page was discovered early Tuesday morning when the packs of sealed ballots were opened for the first time at the polling places, St. Clair County Probate Judge Andrew Weathington told AP. —

Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 Flashback: In January, it was discovered that one of Carta's salesmen on the secondaries side crossed what should've been an invisible wall, using confidential customer data from the mothership. —

Lucinda Shen, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024 Authorities discovered that Papantoniadis operated his pizza shops with a skeletal staff, forced workers to perform grueling shifts of 14 hours or more, often seven days a week. —

Hanna Park, CNN, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for discover

Recent Examples of Synonyms for discover

Verb

Quickly, the women realize they’ve been lied to, thanks to a blueberry candle, and are forced into Mr. Reed’s tense musings and sadistic games for a chance to escape.

Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
After a sweeping electoral victory and Republicans claiming likely majorities in both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, Trump appears emboldened to push aggressively to realize that agenda.

Ethan Varian, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024