detect
Usage
What are other ways to say detect?
To detect implies becoming aware of something that had been obscure, secret, or concealed: to detect a flaw in reasoning. To ascertain is to verify facts by inquiry or analysis: to ascertain the truth about an event. To learn is to add to one's knowledge or information: to learn a language. 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.
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.
And now, existing X-ray machines would be modified to detect explosives.
From Slate • Jul. 7, 2026
The Trionda match ball, made by Adidas for this year's World Cup, has a microchip in it that can detect when the ball has been touched.
From BBC • Jul. 3, 2026
A Mexican rescuer working in La Guaira said that their equipment could detect signs of life in another building, but they had not made contact, after digging through the rubble they found nothing.
From Barron's • Jul. 3, 2026
She lauded Geng’s efforts but said future fakery might not be so easy to detect.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 2, 2026
Mouzaive had invented an instrument he called a cryptochromometer that used a protein extracted from birds’ eyes to detect the presence of magnetic fields.
From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor
Vocabulary lists containing detect
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
NAEP Test Words
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
List 9
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
