ASCERTAIN Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

ascertain

verb

ˌa-sər-ˈtān

Definition of ascertain

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

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 McNally says in addition, satellite images that tanker tracking firms normally rely on to ascertain shipping traffic are no longer widely available. — Jane Arraf, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026 The nationalities of 111 other missing people had yet to be ascertained, authorities said. — Arshad R. Zargar, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026 The cause of the avalanche is still unknown, while the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation in the aftermath to ascertain whether criminal negligence played a role. — Adam England, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026 Whereas these institutions all fall within the executive branch, the Smithsonian’s status is harder to ascertain. — Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ascertain

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ascertain

Verb

They are discovered well beyond the bounds of the strategic map, where the winds shift, the old answers sink, and the pilot must find the way by dead reckoning.

— Jeff DeGraff, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
After a five-and-a-half-year absence, Tom Cotton has recently discovered a state called Arkansas.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of discover

Verb

Yet the clubs from small markets with relatively low payrolls found ways to play the best baseball in each of their respective leagues this season en route to the World Series.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2026
Other organizations linked to Page, including Flu Lab LLC, One Aero, and Oceankind, were also incorporated in Delaware that month, after previously being in California, Rogelberg’s analysis of state filings found.

— Sydney Lake, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of find

Verb

Protesters, many of whom have been seen carrying Palestinian flags, have set fire to historic buildings and attacked civilians.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 20 Oct. 2026
American Transmission Company, a utility firm that develops and manages high-voltage transmission lines, has seen rapid growth, in part thanks to the AI and data center buildout.

— Ted Kitterman, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of see

Verb

Even its afterglow was so absurdly incandescent that JWST was able to locate the source supernova only several months later.

— Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Last year, the counties that saw the highest acreage losses by far were San Joaquin — where Lodi is located — and Fresno.

— Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of locate

Verb

From the moment Errol Holden’s raps entered the public sphere in the early 2020s, listening to them has felt like hearing a stranger on the street earnestly tell you how the city has changed.

— Matthew Ritchie, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2026
The ban remains in force, with the Supreme Court scheduled to hear a further appeal early next month.

— Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of hear

Verb

The letter obtained by The Associated Press gives the state 48 hours to determine whether any citizens are included on the list.

— SAFIYAH RIDDLE, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
When prescription treatment is appropriate, the clinician determines the treatment plan and formula, with the patient receiving ongoing access to their provider through secure messaging and the ability to adjust treatment as their skin evolves.

— Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of determine

Browse Nearby Words

ascents

ascertain

ascertained

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Ascertain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ascertain. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of ascertain

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes