ascertain
verb [T] /ˌæs.əˈteɪn/
/-ɚ-/ formalDefinition
› to discover something: The police have so far been unable to ascertain the cause of the explosion. [+ question word] Have you ascertained whether she's coming or not?Finding and discovering › to make certain of something: [+ that] I ascertained that no one could overhear us before I told Otto the news.Finding and discovering
(Definition of ascertain verb from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus
© Cambridge University Press)
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Synonyms and related words:
- a fishing expedition idiom
- break fresh/new ground idiom
- breakthrough noun
- catch sb red-handed idiom
- catch sb with their pants/trousers down idiom
- finder noun
- finders keepers (losers weepers) idiom
- finding noun (DISCOVERY)
- flush sb out phrasal verb
- get hold of idiom
- orientate verb (FIND POSITION)
- pin sth down phrasal verb
- put sb onto sth phrasal verb
- put your finger on sth idiom
- rake sth out phrasal verb
- run sb/sth down phrasal verb (FIND)
- smell sth/sb out phrasal verb
- suss verb
- unlock verb
- winkle sth/sb out phrasal verb
Topic:
Finding and discovering
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