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.
"It's hidden and in people's homes, it's not always easy to detect."
From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026
In theory, entangled quantum states can detect extremely small differences in magnetic fields or gravitational fields between separate locations.
From Science Daily • Jun. 6, 2026
Though time-consuming, it can detect 95% of cancers and a similar percentage of high-risk polyps.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 4, 2026
The rare Bundibugyo strain circulating in Congo wasn’t reliably identified by most available Ebola tests, which were designed to detect the more common Zaire and Sudan strains.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026
Failing to detect the major element, the dead animal pelt.
From "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick
Vocabulary lists containing detect
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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List 9
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