ascertain
verb
as·cer·tain
ˌa-sər-ˈtān 
ascertained; ascertaining; ascertains
1
: to find out or learn with certainty
ascertain the truth
trying to ascertain the cause of the fire
information that can be easily ascertained on the Internet
2
archaic
: to make certain, exact, or precise
Synonyms
Examples of ascertain in a Sentence
We look at digital media—images, audio and video—and we try to ascertain whether or not they've been manipulated. We use mathematical and computational techniques to detect alterations in them.
—
Claudia Dreifus, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2007
Currently, an official trying to ascertain road damage in the aftermath of an earthquake might have to keep one eye on the TV news while listening to both radio traffic reports and the police scanner. Since most of these data are available in digital form, the software could take them all in, process them and present a report outlining the best evacuation routes.
—Kevin Hogan, Technology Review, April 2002
With an equation linking the money wage to prices, the degree of inflation could be ascertained.
—Sidney Weintraub, Modern Economic Thought, (1977) 1993
Claudia Dreifus, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2007
Currently, an official trying to ascertain road damage in the aftermath of an earthquake might have to keep one eye on the TV news while listening to both radio traffic reports and the police scanner. Since most of these data are available in digital form, the software could take them all in, process them and present a report outlining the best evacuation routes.
—Kevin Hogan, Technology Review, April 2002
With an equation linking the money wage to prices, the degree of inflation could be ascertained.
—Sidney Weintraub, Modern Economic Thought, (1977) 1993
Recent Examples on the Web
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
Underwood, positioned in front of former President Joe Biden, quickly ascertained that the accompanying instrumental track was not working, leaving her to improvise.
—Janelle Ash, Fox News, 21 Jan. 2025
At the time, scientists were unable to ascertain how the balls of debris ended up in the waters around the Australian shoreline.
—Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 14 Jan. 2025
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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
Underwood, positioned in front of former President Joe Biden, quickly ascertained that the accompanying instrumental track was not working, leaving her to improvise.
—Janelle Ash, Fox News, 21 Jan. 2025
At the time, scientists were unable to ascertain how the balls of debris ended up in the waters around the Australian shoreline.
—Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for ascertain
Articles Related to ascertain
Dictionary Entries Near ascertain
Cite this Entry
“Ascertain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ascertain. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ascertain
verb
as·cer·tain
ˌas-ər-ˈtān
: to learn with certainty : find out
could not ascertain the correct date
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