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:
Through these vessels was possible to ascertain many pieces of information.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 26, 2026
Earlier, in a statement posted on its website, the park said its emergency response procedures had been "immediately activated" and it was "working closely with the authorities to ascertain exactly what happened".
From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026
US non-farm payrolls figures later Friday are in focus as traders try to ascertain the Fed's next move after last month's rate hike.
From Barron's ● Oct. 2, 2026
L.A. attorney Brian Claypool, who handles wrongful death litigation, said the autopsy and toxicology results “will be crucial in this tragic death to ascertain legal liability.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 23, 2026
Hale seemed to be trying to ascertain whether she knew anything and, perhaps, to be warning her not to divulge a word if she did.
From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann
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
When I so reply, my questioner ascertains by further inquiries where I was educated and how I have been trained.
From Threads of Grey and Gold by Myrtle Reed
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
Further tests were done by a pathologist and forensic anthropologist, but a cause of death could not be ascertained.
From BBC ● Apr. 27, 2026
The exact number of crew members could not be ascertained but the source added it could be between six and eight people.
From BBC ● Jan. 16, 2026
She’s ascertained that she’s not a child and not an adult; not the sick little girl named Marcy who she used to be, nor her maker’s favorite.
From Salon ● Sep. 24, 2025
Dr. Remile suddenly ascertained that I was due some government benefits, being the child of a veteran.
From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver
Deciding the punishment should be quicker than ascertaining guilt, but nothing is certain in this case.
From BBC ● Sep. 27, 2026
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
And if you’re brave enough to step deeper into the lot, yet clearly not confident in ascertaining a Golden Pothos from a Pothos N’Joy, a woman with a warm smile will approach you kindly.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 13, 2025
“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
It is desired that the investigation of subject be most searching and pointed towards ascertaining the nature of her present activity and the identity of her associate.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
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