fathom

It’s almost hard to fathom how any other individual could surpass his wealth, barring some company-specific problem.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 6, 2026

Evan Mawarire is a Zimbabwean pastor and activist, and since 2008, his home country has experienced a kind of inflation and economic instability that is hard to fathom.

From Slate ● Sep. 20, 2026

Whenever he seems confused, I’m delighted; it’s reassuring to see someone so smart still struggle to fathom this thing of ours.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026

Even now as an adult, Tashjian said it's still difficult for her to fathom large numbers of people dying in any event, and she still gravitates toward individual anecdotes to help her understand 9/11's toll.

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026

I couldn’t for the life of me fathom why my friend, this clean-cut guy who seemed to have no problems in the world, wanted to play the part of Rufus.

From "The Freedom Writers Diary" by The Freedom Writers

DaCosta fathoms the deepest notes in Ibsen’s classic as though they were whale song, remixing them into her own ode to a woman who needs healthier hobbies.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 10, 2026

In the late 1800s the Yup’ik people from the Alaskan coast recorded building kayaks that were 2.5 fathoms long plus a cockpit, which was the length of an arm with a closed fist.

From Science Magazine ● May 31, 2023

“He’s playing it off. I don’t think he fathoms how bad this is. Shame on him. I hope he gets what he deserves.”

From Washington Times ● Jul. 6, 2021

And after some initial tests in the shallow water, the Thresher headed out to where the ocean was 1,400 fathoms, or a mile and half, deep.

From Washington Post ● Sep. 26, 2019

‘About, well’ — he stood for a moment measuring it with his eyes — ‘about eighteen fathoms, I should guess. Not more.’

From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien

Ken Ono’s career as one of the world’s most prominent mathematicians has taken him to places that he never could have fathomed.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 4, 2025

"We never fathomed it would be this catastrophic and apocalyptic."

From BBC ● Jan. 14, 2025

“They came out and executed. Kicked our butts. I would’ve never fathomed that this would’ve been the conclusion of the score if you would’ve asked me a week or two weeks ago. There’s no way.”

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 18, 2023

Their Latin Grammys nod is a milestone that bass guitarist Sandra Calixto had long dreamed of, but one she never fathomed would happen so fast.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 13, 2023

Had she had all her wits, Desdemona could not possibly have fathomed what I was saying.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

I truly have a hard time fathoming that.

From Salon ● Oct. 16, 2022

But fathoming other universes is the essence of Theo’s job.

From Washington Post ● Sep. 21, 2021

They are like the proverbial worker who knows how to use a hammer and thus sees everything as a nail—not fathoming the existence of other tools.

From Scientific American ● Jun. 8, 2020

He was also being “completely honest,” baring a bewildered and troubled soul, not fathoming why he is so uninspired to play a sport he intends, or hopes, to continue on with.

From New York Times ● Jul. 4, 2017

She certainly did interest herself very much with lovers, fathoming all the little mysteries of their love-quarrels, and setting every thing quite straight, even when they seemed in inextricable confusion.

From Graham's Magazine Vol XXXIII No. 4 October 1848 by Various