Definition of ASCERTAINS (original) (raw)
1
: to find out or learn with certainty
trying to ascertain the cause of the fire
information that can be easily ascertained on the Internet
2
archaic : to make certain, exact, or precise
Synonyms
Choose the Right Synonym for ascertain
discovered the source of the river
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
determine emphasizes the intent to establish the facts definitely or precisely.
unable to determine the origin of the word
unearth implies bringing to light something forgotten or hidden.
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
Examples of ascertain in a Sentence
We look at digital media—images, audio and video—and we try to ascertain whether or not they've been manipulated. We use mathematical and computational techniques to detect alterations in them. —
Claudia Dreifus, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2007 Currently, an official trying to ascertain road damage in the aftermath of an earthquake might have to keep one eye on the TV news while listening to both radio traffic reports and the police scanner. Since most of these data are available in digital form, the software could take them all in, process them and present a report outlining the best evacuation routes. —Kevin Hogan, Technology Review, April 2002 With an equation linking the money wage to prices, the degree of inflation could be ascertained. —Sidney Weintraub, Modern Economic Thought, (1977) 1993
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The qualities ascertained, and their corresponding numbers, were meaningless to me. —Caity Weaver, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2025 Beal would also have to waive his no-trade clause; presumably the teams involved would ascertain whether this was a realistic possibility before marching headlong into a deal. —John Hollinger, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025 Underwood, positioned in front of former President Joe Biden, quickly ascertained that the accompanying instrumental track was not working, leaving her to improvise. —Janelle Ash, Fox News, 21 Jan. 2025 At the time, scientists were unable to ascertain how the balls of debris ended up in the waters around the Australian shoreline. —Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 14 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for ascertain 
Word History
Etymology
Middle English acertainen to inform, give assurance to, from Anglo-French acerteiner, from a- (from Latin ad-) + certein, certain certain
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Time Traveler
The first known use of ascertain was in the 15th century
Dictionary Entries Near ascertain
Cite this Entry
“Ascertain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ascertain. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
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Last Updated: 10 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences
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