detect
Usage
What are other ways to say detect?
To detect implies becoming aware of something that had been obscure, secret, or concealed: to detect a flaw in reasoning. 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.
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.
"It's hidden and in people's homes, it's not always easy to detect."
From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026
In theory, entangled quantum states can detect extremely small differences in magnetic fields or gravitational fields between separate locations.
From Science Daily • Jun. 6, 2026
Combining all Asian Americans into one category can make those differences impossible to detect.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026
Some researchers are concerned retailers could use personal data to set higher base prices for individuals, without their knowledge, when algorithms detect things like urgent need or high disposable income.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026
“Their blood is blue, and it can detect really small amounts of bacteria, so scientists use it to test vaccines.”
From "Shouting at the Rain" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Vocabulary lists containing detect
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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List 9
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