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
The tank released fumes for about five minutes, and air sensors to detect MMA in the area were set up the next day, officials said.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026
In fact for much of the show’s duration evidence of serious mental instability is hard to detect among the young women Susanna finds herself living with.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026
He had found the missing link in Harvey’s description of blood circulation, a link which Harvey himself had guessed must be there, but could not detect with the instruments at his disposal.
From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin
Vocabulary lists containing detect
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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List 9
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