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.
The companies said radio-frequency sensors offered a common method to detect drones since most are flown within visual range using a radio remote control that communicates via radio frequency.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2026
"We work continuously to strengthen our safeguards to detect harmful intent, limit misuse, and respond appropriately when safety risks arise," the company said.
From Barron's • May 11, 2026
Those hidden social behaviors can make infestations hard to detect, but they may also help treatments spread once termites contact treated material.
From Science Daily • May 9, 2026
Three years ago, Nelligan and his colleagues, working from the backyard of a neighbor of Susan Flores, used soil vapor sampling to detect volatile organic compounds they say may be associated with decomposing human remains.
From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026
I detect that she looks a lot like Rania.
From "A Rover's Story" by Jasmine Warga
Vocabulary lists containing detect
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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List 9
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