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 The White House on Sunday announced the high-profile trip, saying Vance ‒ wife of Vice President JD Vance ‒ will travel with her son and a U.S. delegation to visit historical sites, learn about Greenlandic heritage and attend the Avannaata Qimussersu, Greenland’s national dogsled race. Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2025 One is that the whole project was born out of reading this book and just learning about the staff. Max Gao, Variety, 23 Mar. 2025 Collectively, New York’s 2.4 million K-12 students will spend 9.6 million hours a year doing fire drills instead of learning. Rascal Kemble-Curry, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2025 That’s a pretty big revelation, and one that Mark is not happy to learn. Erik Kain, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for learn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for learn
Verb
  • Fellow White Lotus star Leslie Bibb also mastered a celestial cheek highlight, and wig artist Maahleek crafted a stunning Shego-esque hairdo.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 22 Mar. 2025
  • In an increasingly remote and hybrid world, collaboration and new communication styles are increasingly important in order to work with co-workers and clients—those are things that generative AI and agentic tools are not able to master (yet).
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Here is what most people do not realize: utilities must ensure these lines maintain safe clearances from the ground, trees, and buildings even during these maximum sag conditions.
    Anna Broughel, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Inside, the floor and ceiling are realized in matching high-gloss black lacquer wood texture, while custom wood tables in the same material rise from the floor.
    Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Currently on a six-game winning streak and 11 wins in 12 games, the Celtics suddenly find themselves with a legitimate chance to catch the Cleveland Cavaliers for the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Auroral activity occurs where a planet's magnetic fields converge into its atmosphere, so Neptune’s auroras are found far from its rotational poles.
    Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • And that means not just asking the right questions, but doing it differently from the others zillion candidates who read books on interviewing, memorize 50 questions, and regurgitate them robotically.
    Eli Amdur, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • After getting distracted by the camera filming them, the twins were memorized by Peanut, who spoke to them and asked questions.
    Francesca Gariano, People.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Join us at Billboard Women in Music 2025 — get your tickets here.
    Kyle Denis, Billboard, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Lucy Dacus has been getting deep in touch with her emotions in anticipation of her fourth studio album, Forever Is a Feeling, out March 28.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Keep reading to discover all the best Gucci sneakers, below.
    Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Read on to discover 10 American Rieslings to stock your wine cellar with.
    Jillian Dara, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The historically black university located in Virginia also entered the locker room with a 32-30 lead at halftime.
    Chantz Martin, Fox News, 23 Mar. 2025
  • The pool is part of a health and leisure club located in the stand.
    Tom Burrows, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Heroes also sit in their cubicle for decades studying their systems, and knowing their systems front and back.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Their team has been awarded 23 more hours of JWST time to study four additional planetary systems, aiming to determine whether their gas giants formed through core accretion.
    Victoria Corless, Space.com, 1 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Learn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/learn. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.

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