discover
Usage
What are other ways to say discover?
The verb discover is used with objective clauses as a synonym of learn in order to suggest that the new information acquired is surprising to the learner: I discovered that she had been married before. To learn is to add to one's knowledge or information: to learn a language. To ascertain is to verify facts by inquiry or analysis: to ascertain the truth about an event. To detect implies becoming aware of something that had been obscure, secret, or concealed: to detect a flaw in reasoning.
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.
See Examples For:
Get some modern dating help: What do you do when you discover you aren’t very good at flirting?
From Slate ● Nov. 5, 2026
Savannah McDaid said she was shocked to discover four "metal pins embedded" in sweets collected by her three-year-old son after they returned home from trick-or-treating together.
From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026
High school allowed her to discover a sport she hopes to continue playing in college.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 2, 2026
Webb's extraordinary sensitivity made it possible to discover 27 exceptionally faint objects.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 2, 2026
And when I go to work the next day, my single-browed friend trailing faithfully behind me, I discover that I am being deported.
From "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron
When Robbie and his mother travel by bus from Alberta, Canada, they part ways for a time before he discovers raging wildfires threaten her location.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 2, 2026
But something more sinister, he soon discovers, is afoot.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026
As Mona discovers, the stumbles are as important as the triumphs.
From Salon ● Oct. 12, 2026
When she arrives at their imposing Vermont mansion to go through Verity’s notes, Lowen discovers that Verity’s a vegetable: completely physically and mentally indisposed after a car accident.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
He could be the dog who discovers an art cave.
From "The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle" by Leslie Connor
This week, King Charles described the transatlantic slave trade as a "shameful chapter of history", scientists at Cern discovered the "zeptoverse", and lifestyle guru Martha Stewart apologised for her "screwed up" Halloween costume.
From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2026
The Taurids are associated with the Comet 2P/Encke, which was first discovered in the 1700s.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 5, 2026
Scientists at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have discovered that applying a small amount of pressure can dramatically alter the magnetic properties of a promising new class of materials called altermagnets.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 4, 2026
A 70-year-old has discovered one of the most delectable perks of retirement: invitations to sumptuous meals, gratis.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 4, 2026
“However, the official statements have to say that the book was discovered in the hidden room of the building. Not all people believe in magical things the way we do, Danny.”
From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova
Two mothers have spoken of their shock after discovering metal pins hidden inside sweets collected by their young children while trick-or-treating.
From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026
Meanwhile, customers are discovering they are victims while checking out, creating awkward and sometimes difficult situations at stores.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2026
I remember the rosemary, the bicycle ride, the pleasure of discovering another cook’s cupboards.
From Salon ● Oct. 28, 2026
Julianne Moore is a consensus pick for her careening high-wire act as an overlooked housewife discovering a life in the theater in “The Debut.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2026
I was fully absorbed in discovering who I was and had yet to take responsibility for even that process.
From "Bad Boy" by Walter Dean Myers
Vocabulary lists containing discover
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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Beowulf vocabulary
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"Return to Titanic" and "Talking with Robert Ballard"
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