ascertain

verb

ˌa-sər-ˈtān How to pronounce ascertain (audio)
Definition of ascertainnext
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

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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

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb ascertain contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of ascertain are determine, discover, learn, and unearth. While all these words mean "to find out what one did not previously know," 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 determine a more appropriate choice than ascertain?

The meanings of determine and ascertain largely overlap; however, determine emphasizes the intent to establish the facts definitely or precisely.

unable to determine the origin of the word

When would discover be a good substitute for ascertain?

While in some cases nearly identical to ascertain, discover may apply to something requiring exploration or investigation or to a chance encounter.

discovered the source of the river

In what contexts can learn take the place of ascertain?

The words learn and ascertain can be used in similar contexts, but 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

When can unearth be used instead of ascertain?

The words unearth and ascertain are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 ascertain Each record will have to be manually reviewed to ascertain the cause of the change. —Jason Alatidd, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026 The amount of the increase, which was first reported by Bloomberg, couldn’t be ascertained. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 23 Feb. 2026 Check for sugar Look at the label to ascertain the sugar content. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026 One source briefed on the matter told CBS News that prosecutors were trying to ascertain whether Pulte and Martin had improperly deputized Bowes and Strauss to assist on the Schiff investigation. —Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ascertain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ascertain
  1. discover
  2. find
  3. realize
  4. learn
  5. see
  6. locate
  7. hear
  8. determine
Verb
  • Despite being reviewed again in 2008 and 2009, investigators never discovered new leads.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
  • The skeleton was discovered 26 feet below the surface, roughly 656 feet into a cave in Mexico’s cenote system.
    — Ryan Brennan April 4, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of discover
Verb
  • Most of the trouble on this night came from starter Ryan Johnson’s inability to find the strike zone and the defense’s problems converting two plays that should have been made.
    — Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 31 Mar. 2026
  • The Will County Sheriff's Office confirmed on Monday that more remains have been found in the same location where the bones of a missing man were discovered last week.
    — Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of find
Verb
  • February 19 – March 20 Certain feelings presently require action to be fully realized.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2026
  • And since individual airfares tend to be driven by what the market will stand rather than the actual cost of flying, the airlines’ ability to raise fares is more limited than most people realize.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of realize
Verb
  • Come bake and learn with us—ask questions, share pics, listen to our podcast, and lots more here.
    — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Apr. 2026
  • The head coach enjoys learning about the experiences of journeyman backups.
    — Mike Kaye April 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of learn
Verb
  • Malikah Auguste, a ninth-grader at Cristo Rey and an intern with Miami Lighthouse, saw the impact the visit had on her classmates.
    — Christina Mayo, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Whizzing by the moon up to 6,000 miles above the surface, the astronauts will also glimpse the celestial body's full disk, seeing sights that not even the Apollo astronauts witnessed.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of see
Verb
  • Officers located her at a nearby hotel and arrested her without incident.
    — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
  • The victim was shot outside the deli located on Bronxwood Ave.
    — Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of locate
Verb
  • If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2026
  • For me, one of the most memorable moments in Proust is when the narrator first hears his grandmother’s voice on the phone.
    — Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
Definition of hear
Verb
  • Roberts said Betts won’t play in Sunday’s series finale against the Washington Nationals, and his availability for the series in Toronto beginning Monday won’t be determined until after the results of the MRI are known.
    — Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 5 Apr. 2026
  • For many years, the top pick was determined by a coin flip between the worst teams in the Western and Eastern Conferences.
    — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
Definition of determine

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Cite this Entry

“Ascertain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ascertain. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of ascertain for Spanish Speakers

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