Ascertain: meaning, example and synonyms

Ascertainv. To find out something for certain, especially by investigating.

Flashcard for Ascertain (verb): to find out something for certain, especially by investigating. Example: Using tree rings, scientists were able to ascertain the exact year in which the wooden beams of the old church were cut. Synonyms: determine, establish, discover, verify. Antonyms: guess, assume, overlook, miss. Memory tip: Ascertain contains "certain": find out until you're certain. Illustration: a scientist examining the rings of a cut tree slice with a magnifying glass on a wooden table.

Example

Using tree rings, scientists were able to ascertain the exact year in which the wooden beams of the old church were cut.

Part of speech
verb
Synonyms
determine, establish, discover, verify
Antonyms
guess, assume, overlook, miss
Memory tip
Ascertain contains "certain": find out until you're certain.

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Check yourself: Ascertain in context

Pick the word that best completes each text, as on the SAT's words-in-context questions.

Question 1

Before publishing, the historian worked to ______ whether the diary was genuine by testing the age of its paper and ink.

Question 2

Doctors ran a series of scans to ______ the exact cause of the patient's headaches.

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