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Definitions

ascertain

[as-er-teyn] / ˌæs ərˈteɪn /


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.

Russian legal experts say the true scale of the problem is hard to ascertain.

From The Wall Street Journal

Mr Lawson said the pioneering work had even ascertained where the people, who were buried between the 12th Century and 1560, were born.

From BBC

She named seven men, whose whereabouts could "not be ascertained", as having committed or being complicit in the murder.

From BBC

Fire service officials have not ascertained which of the two buildings caught fire first.

From BBC

Speaking at a news conference on Monday, officials said the incident was a "targeted act of violence", but said they had not yet ascertained Sanford's motive.

From BBC