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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 Break the pattern and build something bigger: watch these 5 films Reject artificial limits and discover your full capability. Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025 Local businesses and surf shops like the Jimmy Lane Surfing Academy, Surfin’ NSB, and Nichols Surf Shop (which has been open since 1969 and is the town’s oldest surf shop) all employee seasoned instructors who are more than ready to help beginners discover the thrill of catching their first wave. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 27 May 2025 First discovered: 12:10 p.m. May 27 Initial location: San Diego County, Calif. Fire type: Wildfire Fire name: Pine A new wildfire was reported today at 12:10 p.m. in San Diego County. Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2025 Egyptian archaeologists have discovered tombs dating back to the New Kingdom period (1550–1070 B.C.) and identified the names and titles of their owners through inscriptions found within, according to a statement by the tourism and antiquities ministry. Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for discover
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discover
Verb
  • Keep in mind that bush-type beans and peas generally don't need support, but pole beans require trellises or cages for their vining stems. Lupines: Many growers don't realize that lupines belong to the legume family and can also benefit neighboring plants with their nitrogen fixing roots.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2025
  • Most important, audiences now get to realize that Paul Gross is in this!
    Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 7 June 2025
Verb
  • Fears that a serial killer is at large were reignited by the recent discovery of a body in a Texas lake, where 19 corpses have been found over the past three years.
    Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 June 2025
  • If finding indoor shelter is not an option: Stay away from open fields, hill summits, or ridge tops.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 7 June 2025
Verb
  • Without treatment, the disease eventually kills the corals, and their soft tissue falls off, revealing the white calcium carbonate skeleton below.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 June 2025
  • On Wednesday, officials revealed the mother of the girls, Whitney Decker, contacted police on Friday with a civil complaint, saying Decker picked up the daughters at 5 p.m. for a scheduled visitation, but did not return around 10 p.m.
    Megan Forrester, ABC News, 5 June 2025
Verb
  • Ginny, who winds up pregnant after striking up a romance with Wolfe (Ty Doran) from her poetry class, decides to terminate her pregnancy shortly after learning of her condition, and her mom is completely on board with whatever her daughter wants.
    Julia Moore, People.com, 5 June 2025
  • As word of Pali’s interest traveled, Magee said, the Philharmonic’s board of directors learned of the school’s situation.
    Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
Verb
  • No one supposedly could locate the accused to bring to trial, despite the men belonging to one of England’s highest nobility houses.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 6 June 2025
  • The lounge, which is fittingly located in the hotel’s seafront garden, takes design cues from Riva’s iconic runabouts, naturally.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 5 June 2025
Verb
  • The lipstick was used to draw on the side of the Tesla Cybertruck, but what was drawn and the shade of lipstick were not disclosed in the news release.
    Amaia Gavica, Idaho Statesman, 7 June 2025
  • Those surprises can include the limited exemption amount, common misconceptions about asset types, the requirement to disclose the value of worldwide assets on their estate tax return, and other pitfalls that can complicate estate planning.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
Verb
  • Wolff did admit that seeing the positives were difficult, aside from the apparent step in tire management.
    Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 2 June 2025
  • Buy tickets to see your favorite artist and savor an unforgettable concert.
    Essence, Essence, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • Researchers have uncovered handwritten letters, court documents, and a coroner’s report related to the nearly 700-year-old cold case murder of a medieval priest.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 6 June 2025
  • The package was intercepted and the fungus uncovered.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 5 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Discover.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discover. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.

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