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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb discover contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of discover are ascertain, determine, learn, and unearth. While all these words mean "to find out what one did not previously know," discover may apply to something requiring exploration or investigation or to a chance encounter.

discovered the source of the river

When is ascertain a more appropriate choice than discover?

The synonyms ascertain and discover are sometimes interchangeable, but ascertain implies effort to find the facts or the truth proceeding from awareness of ignorance or uncertainty.

attempts to ascertain the population of the region

When is it sensible to use determine instead of discover?

While the synonyms determine and discover are close in meaning, determine emphasizes the intent to establish the facts definitely or precisely.

unable to determine the origin of the word

When might learn be a better fit than discover?

The words learn and discover are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, learn may imply acquiring knowledge with little effort or conscious intention (as by simply being told) or it may imply study and practice.

I learned her name only today
learning Greek

In what contexts can unearth take the place of discover?

Although the words unearth and discover have much in common, unearth implies bringing to light something forgotten or hidden.

unearth old records

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of discover This refuge provided temporary shelter until it was discovered in 1942. Natalia Romik / Madę By History, TIME, 27 Jan. 2025 Nearly four years after Gabby Petito’s remains were discovered in Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton National Forest, Netflix is set to release a new docuseries into the shocking murder of the #vanlife vlogger by her then-fiancé, Brian Laundrie. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 27 Jan. 2025 Giada De Laurentiis Giada De Laurentiis has secured her spot as one of the network's longest-running chefs after being discovered in 2002 by an executive who read about her and her family in Food & Wine, per the Food Network's site. Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 26 Jan. 2025 Urban planners are increasingly discovering that a viable solution to traffic congestion, long commute times and excessive vehicle emissions isn’t found at street level, but higher up. Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for discover 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discover
Verb
  • There are no signs to mark these peaks, and even some of the homeowners who own the land don’t realize their lofty status.
    Nicolas Rivero, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025
  • Jennifer Lopez’s yowza dress worn to the 42nd annual awards caused such a search frenzy that Google engineers realized people craved actual visuals (instead of the then-standard blue links) when searching for photos.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 26 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • But Chelsea improved their press to force the champions to build out on their left flank, resulting in passes played over the top to find Gvardiol, who was their most potent attacking threat, with limited success.
    Sam Lee, The Athletic, 25 Jan. 2025
  • According to Rogerson and Barden, the truck was found with its windows broken.
    Graeme Taskerud, The Denver Post, 25 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • After his son burst into the room, Gordon turned to the boy and revealed the excuse for his violent outburst, Brandon said.
    Ellen Moynihan, New York Daily News, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Wildfires Per usual, no details are being revealed about the characters.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • But her happy story quickly took a turn as the world learned more about her controversial journey to motherhood.
    Janine Rubenstein, People.com, 24 Jan. 2025
  • The Giants can learn something from all four teams represented in Sunday’s NFC and AFC Championship Games.
    Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The vehicle was then located the next day, seized and processed for evidence.
    Alexa Ashwell, Baltimore Sun, 24 Jan. 2025
  • The trailhead is located near the end of Comanche Mesa Road, across Highway FM 170 from the Lajitas General Store.
    Pam LeBlanc, Southern Living, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Contrary to realty ethics rules, Pearl did not disclose in the listing that the house doesn’t have a certificate of occupancy, and its building permit expired Feb. 15.
    Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025
  • As massive as these industrial farms can be, state officials disclose little information about dry-litter poultry farms, the roughly 4,700 farms responsible for raising more than 99% of the state’s billion birds, according to state agricultural data.
    Gavin Off, Charlotte Observer, 26 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • She's seen parents lose mirrors on their cars from the doubling up and driving half off the road.
    Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 3 Feb. 2025
  • Thompson said the Mavericks’ decision to move Dončić roughly eight months following a trip to the NBA Finals was one of the most shocking moves he’s seen in his time around the NBA.
    Christian Clark, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Trying to uncover precisely where the idea that Jennifer Aniston and Barack Obama are in a relationship came from is a tough, if borderline impossible, task.
    Callum Booth, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
  • In contrast to Schlossberg, others in the Kennedy family have emerged as fierce proponents of efforts to uncover more details about JFK’s death.
    Emily Hallas, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 24 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near discover

Cite this Entry

“Discover.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discover. Accessed 5 Feb. 2025.

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