discover
verb (used with object)
to see, get knowledge of, learn of, find, or find out; gain sight or knowledge of (something previously unseen or unknown).
had discovered
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past perfectof discover.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
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.
Only last year he said he had discovered millions of dead people claiming Social Security.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 20, 2026
At a recent health checkup, doctors had discovered a small nodule in the 71-year-old pontiff’s lung, known as adenocarcinoma.
From Salon ● Oct. 13, 2026
OpenAI said it had discovered a "sophisticated recording device" hidden in their San Francisco office and alerted the FBI.
From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026
Around that time, BookTok and BookTube had discovered her novel.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 17, 2026
This, despite the fact that they had discovered nothing of any use whatsoever.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
