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.
According to a study published in Science, pigeons may use specialized immune cells in their livers to detect Earth's magnetic field, providing them with an internal navigation system.
From Science Daily • May 31, 2026
Biden’s doctors didn’t provide prostate-specific antigen screening, which produces a PSA score that is used to help detect prostate cancer.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026
The fibre-optic drones used by Hezbollah – also known as First-Person View or FPVs – are much harder to detect than the rockets and mortars this town is used to.
From BBC • May 28, 2026
According to Civello, the next wave — in which wearables can detect conditions like atrial fibrillation, hypertension and sleep apnea — is happening now.
From MarketWatch • May 28, 2026
Most of Alcante’s family has or had extrapulmonary TB, which is much harder to detect until it begins to spread, and then it can be fatal.
From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French
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!
