ascertain
verb
as·cer·tain
ˌa-sər-ˈtān 
ascertained; ascertaining; ascertains
1
: to find out or learn with certainty
ascertain the truth
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
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
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
What experts say Trump is worth Analysts have spent years attempting to ascertain Trump’s precise net worth—and Trump hasn’t helped, by refusing to publish his tax returns over the years.
—Jane Thier, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2024
Then, Hera will arrive in orbit around the Didymos system in October 2026, spending six weeks observing both asteroids to ascertain more details about their shapes, masses, and thermal and dynamic flybys while identifying points of interest for future, closer flights.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 7 Oct. 2024
The full extent of the damage is still being ascertained, but EF3-level damage (136-165 mph winds) was found in Harrah in central Oklahoma, and EF1-level damage (86-110 mph winds) was found in Newcastle, according to the National Weather Service field office in Norman.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC News, 4 Nov. 2024
Most crucial to the arbitrators is ascertaining the parties’ intentions regarding their contract.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ascertain 
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.
Jane Thier, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2024
Then, Hera will arrive in orbit around the Didymos system in October 2026, spending six weeks observing both asteroids to ascertain more details about their shapes, masses, and thermal and dynamic flybys while identifying points of interest for future, closer flights.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 7 Oct. 2024
The full extent of the damage is still being ascertained, but EF3-level damage (136-165 mph winds) was found in Harrah in central Oklahoma, and EF1-level damage (86-110 mph winds) was found in Newcastle, according to the National Weather Service field office in Norman.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC News, 4 Nov. 2024
Most crucial to the arbitrators is ascertaining the parties’ intentions regarding their contract.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ascertain
Articles Related to ascertain
Dictionary Entries Near ascertain
Cite this Entry
“Ascertain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ascertain. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ascertain
verb
as·cer·tain
ˌas-ər-ˈtān
: to learn with certainty : find out
could not ascertain the correct date
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share