ascertain
Americanverb (used with object)
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to find out definitely; learn with certainty or assurance; determine.
to ascertain the facts.
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Archaic. to make certain, clear, or definitely known.
verb
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to determine or discover definitely
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archaic to make certain
Usage
What are other ways to say ascertain?
To ascertain something is to determine it or learn it with certainty or assurance. How is ascertain different from the learn, discover, and detect? Find out on Thesaurus.com.
Other Word Forms
- ascertainable adjective
- ascertainably adverb
- ascertainer noun
- ascertainment noun
- nonascertainable adjective
- nonascertainableness noun
- nonascertainably adverb
- nonascertainment noun
- preascertain verb (used with object)
- preascertainment noun
- unascertainable adjective
- unascertainably adverb
- unascertained adjective
- well-ascertained adjective
Etymology
Origin of ascertain
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, variant of acertain, assertain, from Middle French acertain-, stem of acertener “to make certain”; equivalent to a- 5 + certain
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.
While the sources said that other similar transactions are also under regulatory examination, Reuters could not ascertain the names of other entities and their possible violation of 'related party' transaction rules.
From Reuters
If the fears are borne out, it will no longer be possible to quickly ascertain whether a public figure’s account is legitimately associated with that person, or the potential work of a sly impersonator.
From Washington Post
“NIH does not take steps, such as conducting site visits or requiring third-party verification, to ascertain the reliability of this information,” the audit said.
From Washington Times
She said it has helped her see the big picture, understand how things were shaking out across state lines, and ascertain how the Choices clinic fit into the new map.
From Scientific American
As the video has no sound it is not possible to ascertain what, if anything, was said as the fire erupted.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
