LEARN Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'learn' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of learn are ascertain , determine , discover , and unearth . While all these words mean "to find out what one did not previously know," learn may imply acquiring knowledge with little effort or conscious intention (as by simply being told) or it may imply study and practice. // I learned her name only today // learning Greek

Q: Where would 'ascertain' be a reasonable alternative to 'learn'?

Although the words ascertain and learn have much in common, ascertain implies effort to find the facts or the truth proceeding from awareness of ignorance or uncertainty. // attempts to ascertain the population of the region

Q: When would 'determine' be a good substitute for 'learn'?

The words determine and learn are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, determine emphasizes the intent to establish the facts definitely or precisely. // unable to determine the origin of the word

Q: When could 'discover' be used to replace 'learn'?

The meanings of discover and learn largely overlap; however, discover may apply to something requiring exploration or investigation or to a chance encounter. // discovered the source of the river

Q: When can 'unearth' be used instead of 'learn'?

While in some cases nearly identical to learn , unearth implies bringing to light something forgotten or hidden. // unearth old records

learn

verb

ˈlərn

Definition of learn next

as in to master

to acquire complete knowledge, understanding, or skill in after months of trying, he finally learned the dance steps

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to realize

to come to an awareness of the directors have since learned that they should examine the company's financial reports a little more closely

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to find

to come upon after searching, study, or effort the police were astonished when they learned the identity of the students who had vandalized the school

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to memorize

to commit to memory he learned the words to the song while performing karaoke

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb learn contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of learn are ascertain, determine, discover, and unearth. While all these words mean "to find out what one did not previously know," learn may imply acquiring knowledge with little effort or conscious intention (as by simply being told) or it may imply study and practice.

I learned her name only today

learning Greek

Where would ascertain be a reasonable alternative to learn?

Although the words ascertain and learn have much in common, ascertain implies effort to find the facts or the truth proceeding from awareness of ignorance or uncertainty.

attempts to ascertain the population of the region

When would determine be a good substitute for learn?

The words determine and learn are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, determine emphasizes the intent to establish the facts definitely or precisely.

unable to determine the origin of the word

When could discover be used to replace learn?

The meanings of discover and learn largely overlap; however, discover may apply to something requiring exploration or investigation or to a chance encounter.

discovered the source of the river

When can unearth be used instead of learn?

While in some cases nearly identical to learn, unearth implies bringing to light something forgotten or hidden.

unearth old records

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of learn Babich learned his lesson and took his foot off the blitzing pedal. —

Joe Buscaglia, The Athletic, 13 Jan. 2025 Participants learn to make halloumi, mozzarella, mascarpone, and butter using raw milk and vegetarian rennet. —

Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025 Techniques are often established early, starting when a player first learns to swing, and they are refined by thousands and thousands of hours of practice, until the motions become automatic. —

Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2025 But that only heightened the joy of discovery for me as a music-loving teen eager to hear and learn as much as possible. —

George Varga, The Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for learn

Recent Examples of Synonyms for learn

Verb

Focus on understanding end-to-end processes and business cases and mastering the art of asking questions.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
The challenges his agenda attempts to address accumulated over decades, and are now greater than can be mastered by any one leader, or even one country.

— Massimo Calabresi, TIME, 19 Jan. 2025