1
as in to discover
to come to an awareness of
was immediately able to ascertain that the girl was uncomfortable talking about her life at home
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to find
to come upon after searching, study, or effort
ascertained that their old colonial-era house had once functioned as a tavern
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
The Denver Post requested an interview with the governor, or an adviser on housing policy, to ascertain what effect the special election results could have on Lakewood’s standing.
—
John Aguilar, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
The comic spent some minutes zooming in on and squinting at the photo, putting his hand on his head to ascertain the resemblance.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2026
The family received numerous ransom notes since Nancy Guthrie was taken, and yet did not pay any ransom, which points to the police being unable to ascertain the validity of the notes or a lack of proof of life attached to them.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 7 Apr. 2026
Anyone watching the hearings would quickly ascertain that certain Democratic senators had no interest in hearing Kennedy’s answer to their questions.
—Douglas MacKinnon, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ascertain
John Aguilar, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
The comic spent some minutes zooming in on and squinting at the photo, putting his hand on his head to ascertain the resemblance.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2026
The family received numerous ransom notes since Nancy Guthrie was taken, and yet did not pay any ransom, which points to the police being unable to ascertain the validity of the notes or a lack of proof of life attached to them.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 7 Apr. 2026
Anyone watching the hearings would quickly ascertain that certain Democratic senators had no interest in hearing Kennedy’s answer to their questions.
—Douglas MacKinnon, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ascertain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ascertain
Verb
-
The heavy context makes Marseille a particularly forbidding environment for young players, which Ethan Nwaneri has discovered to his cost since arriving on loan from Arsenal in January.—
Tom Williams,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
Rent one from Sea Panarea to discover hidden coves, sea caves, and the nearby islets of Basiluzzo and Lisca before settling in for sunset Negronis at the see-and-be-seen Bar del Porto.—
Nicky Swallow,
Travel + Leisure,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Now, a new study suggests researchers may have found the first drug regimen capable of rapid and sustaining relief from suicidal thoughts across a broad group of patients.—
Ariana Eunjung Cha,
Washington Post,
19 May 2026
-
Minutes later, police also responded to the 3800 block of Salerno Street where, inside, officers found the two suspects dead.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
But the victim, realizing he’d been duped, had reached out to police.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
-
The Jackson estate realized after shooting that Jackson’s settlement deal with the Chandlers barred the estate from ever depicting the Chandlers on film.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Guests can take an organic garden tour to learn about the plants and produce grown here, including Vietnamese lemons, pandan, passion fruit, mangoes, papayas, bananas, and 10 types of chili peppers from Korea, Vietnam, and Cuba.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
-
Conrad Weiser was a Pennsylvania German who had roamed the frontier for decades, learning the Indian languages and befriending Indian leaders, including some who encountered Washington in Ohio.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
The backstory South America’s largest city sprawls as far as the eye can see with towers and highways, which explains how this part of town (not the most central) has become a hub for meetings.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 May 2026
-
But drivers wouldn’t immediately see that full amount shaved off their bills under a suspension.—
Wyatte Grantham-Philips,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
The center, located at 7040 Independent Parkway, is also accused of failing to report this incident and other ones to the state in accordance with state law.—
Lina Ruiz
May 14,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 May 2026
-
That’s where the art galleries and vendors selling Cuban memorabilia are located in CubaNostalgia.—
Sarah Moreno
May 14,
Miami Herald,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Language access, cultural competency and workforce representation all play critical role in helping people feel respected, heard and supported throughout the healing journey.—
Maria Bledsoe,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 May 2026
-
The idea of a faraway place came up, which everybody has heard about but not been to yet.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
This time, the director was determined not to cut corners, to make a film as maximalist as his imagination.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
-
The choice is vast, yet experienced brokers are quick to point out that specifications alone rarely determine a successful charter.—
Rachel Ingram,
Robb Report,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ascertain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ascertain. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
