ascertain
Usage
What are other ways to say ascertain?
To ascertain is to verify facts by inquiry or analysis: to ascertain the truth about an event. To learn is to add to one's knowledge or information: to learn a language. The verb discover is used with objective clauses as a synonym of learn in order to suggest that the new information acquired is surprising to the learner: I discovered that she had been married before. To detect implies becoming aware of something that had been obscure, secret, or concealed: to detect a flaw in reasoning.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
It would take time, however, to determine who they were, as the commission will need to ascertain whether the identity tags and Kuban shield actually belong to the two soldiers found.
From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026
“He was nearby on the scene there, and we were working trying to ascertain his identity and the motivations behind that,” Hicks said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026
“We are working to ascertain his identity and the motivations.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 2, 2026
Without further information, it is impossible to ascertain their validity.
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026
She was unable, after prolonged and insidious interrogations, to ascertain the causes of Amaranta’s prostration.
From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Henry plays it safe: He ascertains John is gay so shares his chapters via mail.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 29, 2022
On the other hand, logical analysis ascertains whether the premises of an argument support the conclusion.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 15, 2022
“Insikt Group ascertains with high confidence that the top tools on underground forums will continue to change,” the report said.
From Fox News ● Jul. 27, 2019
“The court looks at the impact and the motivation - if it is an ethical violation, if it is an administrative violation - and then ascertains if the punishment fits the crime,” Grevemberg said.
From Washington Times ● Apr. 2, 2018
The first branch of the science ascertains the conditions of stability in the social union: the second, the laws of progress.
From A System of Logic: Ratiocinative and Inductive 7th Edition, Vol. II by John Stuart Mill
The researchers also assessed severity of CTE and found a connection between high grade CTE and dementia before death, with the latter ascertained by the players' medical notes and interviews with family members.
From Barron's ● Aug. 25, 2026
A third person whose injuries had yet to be ascertained was in the process of being brought to hospital.
From Barron's ● Aug. 21, 2026
But from Thames Verlet drove straight to Marsden Wharf, where he visited the Rainbow Warrior, ate a piece of cake, and ascertained the schedule for the evening.
From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2025
The cause of the collapse is still to be ascertained, and investigations are under way according to state government officials.
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2025
Thus far the facts ascertained corroborated Wells’ story most persuasively.
From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote
The export control amounts to a de facto ban on the model since Anthropic has no way of ascertaining the nationality of its users.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 16, 2026
Her petition said they are still ascertaining the assets to be identified as separate and community property.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2024
“Sourcing gold from the UAE is notoriously risky,” the report said, describing the difficulty in ascertaining the origins of the refined gold.
From Seattle Times ● May 30, 2024
A patrol aircraft has "established contact with the vessel, ascertaining the safety of the crew," the navy says.
From BBC ● Jan. 5, 2024
“Miss Miggery, my dear, I do not want to appear too forward so early in our acquaintance, but may I inquire, am I right in ascertaining that you have aspirations?”
From "The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread" by Kate DiCamillo
Vocabulary lists containing ascertain
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