Ascertain

/ˌæsəˈteɪn/ · verb

Meaning

(transitive) To find out definitely; to discover or establish..

Definitions by Sense

1. (transitive) To find out definitely; to discover or establish.
2. (transitive, obsolete) To make (someone) certain or confident about something; to inform.
3. (intransitive, Yorkshire, dated) To look for something lost.
4. (transitive, archaic) To establish, to prove.
5. (transitive, archaic) To ensure or effect.

Example Sentences

As soon as we ascertain what the situation is, we can plan how to proceed.

“There the cause of death was soon ascertained ; the victim of this daring outrage had been stabbed to death from ear to ear with a long, sharp instrument, in shape like an antique stiletto, which […] was subsequently found under the cushions of the hansom.[…]”

Walk the dog in the pounding rain / Looking for a way out of my brain, trapped in it / But I cannot ascertain that I'm trapped in it / Or that the traps even real so I remain trapped in this chambers

"[…] On the 18th of October, 1841, a very intense magnetic disturbance was recorded, and amongst other curious facts mentioned is that of the detention of the 10:05pm express train at Exeter for 16 minutes, as from the magnetic disturbance affecting the needles so powerfully, it was impossible to ascertain if the line was clear at Starcross. The superintendent at Exeter reported the next morning that someone was playing tricks with the instruments, and would not let them work."

Therfore the saide cõmissioners shall mowe say that nowe late during the parlement the King ascertaigned of the saide maliciouse pʳpose of his enemys, willed and desired the lords being then present to shewe their̃ good willes aide and helpe for the saide rescues[…]

We would most gladly ye came yourself if that ye may […] praying you to ascertain us of your News.

Muncer Assured them, that the design was approved of by Heaven, and that the Almighty had in a dream ascertained him of its success.

The two firſt lines of the following book ſeem to aſcertain the true meaning of the concluſion of this, and to prove ſufficiently that by Ωκεανός here, Homer could not poſſibly intend any other than a river.

Synonyms for ascertain

Antonyms for ascertain

Related Words

Word Forms

• ascertains
• ascertaining
• ascertained

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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