discover
Usage
What are other ways to say discover?
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. To learn is to add to one's knowledge or information: to learn a language. To ascertain is to verify facts by inquiry or analysis: to ascertain the truth about an event. To detect implies becoming aware of something that had been obscure, secret, or concealed: to detect a flaw in reasoning.
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.
See Examples For:
Fiona witnessed the "terrifying" moment and was "absolutely horrified" to later discover she had been sold a horse that had never been sufficiently trained to ride.
From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026
Once Roman begins science operations, researchers expect it to discover thousands of exoplanets, which are planets orbiting stars beyond our solar system.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 26, 2026
A president whose best friends are the people who need him might one day discover that they no longer do.
From Slate ● Aug. 24, 2026
James and Lou, a young married couple, leave Chicago for London to escape the evil haunting them, but they discover that it has followed them abroad.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 23, 2026
When I finally did discover why I was so cold, I jumped straight up and hollered in a loud voice, “Hey, my britches are gone!”
From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls
When she discovers the Spanish-speaking world of salsa, she is as drawn to its language as she is to its physicality—the urgent syncopation that makes the music undivorceable from the call to dance.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
In addition to “Hexed,” a magical coming-of-age adventure about a young girl named Billie who discovers she’s a witch that will hit theaters Nov. 25, Disney Animation announced “Clay” for 2028.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 15, 2026
"It's the product of years of work by a dedicated, international team of astronomers. We're excited to share DR20 with the world and see what the community discovers with it."
From Science Daily ● Aug. 14, 2026
When Lok discovers simile, it is, poignantly, to describe his awareness that the newcomers will sweep through his world “like a fire in the forest.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
With practice, one soon discovers that even the most profound ideas can be packed neatly inside the shell of a pistachio, with room to spare.
From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood
The evidence for another forgotten ruler comes from a stela discovered in 1894 at Tell 'Abta, Iraq.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 26, 2026
Had I accidentally discovered a supernatural portal where time and space didn’t exist, one where random phenomena of blinding beauty could materialize on this plane without any logical explanation?
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 25, 2026
Judge Dabney Friedrich cited "newly discovered evidence" and "evidence located in other countries" as the reason for postponing the trial.
From Barron's ● Aug. 25, 2026
At the first court hearing, called a pre-inquest review, Sarah discovered that she was facing a legal team representing Ballater House, Daniel's care home.
From BBC ● Aug. 24, 2026
When Coal had finally told Doc and Jackson how he’d discovered his ability, they shared a brief moment of shocked silence and then jumped into action.
From "Boy 2.0" by Tracey Baptiste
Although many fans have their hearts set on a single, high-demand Olympic event, others might be open to discovering different sports during the Paralympics.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026
"Animals have probably been feeding on nature's original bioplastic for hundreds of millions of years - we're only discovering it now."
From Science Daily ● Aug. 17, 2026
Some bars, Infante noted, are already experimenting with lower-priced cocktails and expanded happy hours after discovering there may simply be a ceiling to what customers will pay for a drink.
From Salon ● Aug. 15, 2026
Once they decided to vacation in Atlantic Canada, Kent Truscott and his wife embraced the idea of discovering their own country.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
He bent down and lifted the stone, discovering freshly turned earth beneath it.
From "Ruby Holler" by Sharon Creech
Vocabulary lists containing discover
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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Beowulf vocabulary
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"Return to Titanic" and "Talking with Robert Ballard"
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