to detect

Examples

• All

• Biological and chemical weapons are much more difficult to detect and control than nuclear ones.

  Academic text (2011)

• Former CIA officers teach you how to detect deception.

• So how am I going to detect that situation?

• And what we want to do is detect the energy, OK?

• So the question is, how would you ever detect these things?

• Now that I think about it, they actually did teach us how to detect lies.

  So Undercover (2012)

• Rather, could they really detect us through our radio leakage?

• And then finally the cameras were able to detect these plumes coming.

• There's a little sensor that detects who's in the room.

  Antitrust (2001)

• The security system can detect any unauthorized entry into the building.

Synonyms

F

to find

vsto detect

∞ 1.0

To discover something while looking or by accident

often implies deliberate discovery of existence rather than accidental finding

N

to notice

vsto detect

∞ 1.0

To see or become aware of something

aims to establish presence when something is hard to spot rather than mere awareness

D

to discover

vsto detect

∞ 1.0

To find out about something for the first time, often by chance

is used when establishing existence or presence especially if hard to notice

R

to recognize

vsto detect

• US

∞ 1.4

To see or hear someone and know who they are

determines existence or presence even when there is no prior familiarity

O

to observe

vsto detect

605 2.4

To watch something carefully to learn about it

emphasizes determining existence or presence rather than the ongoing watching process

C

to catch

vsto detect

602 2.1

To notice something quickly with the senses or mind

involves deliberate finding of existence rather than a brief sudden perception

S

to sense

vsto detect

348 4.2

To notice something by feeling or by using a tool

aims to establish existence or presence not just general awareness

P

to pick up on

vsto detect

185 3.9

To notice something that is not obvious

involves actively finding existence rather than just noticing subtle signs

D

to discern

vsto detect

67 5.8

To notice something that is hard to see or hear

focuses on finding whether something exists rather than recognizing details

T

to take notice

vsto detect

61 3.5

To see and pay attention to something

seeks to determine whether something exists rather than merely giving attention

P

to perceive

vsto detect

41 3.7

To notice something with your senses, especially sight or hearing

focuses on establishing existence or presence often when something is hard to notice

S

to spy

vsto detect

36 3.1

To notice something suddenly or after looking for it

is more general focusing on discovery rather than secretive observation

S

to sniff out

vsto detect

• Informal

35 4.0

Find something by searching, often by smell

uses general methods or instruments rather than relying on smell

S

to sight

vsto detect

34 2.8

To suddenly see something for a short time

is used to establish presence not only sudden visual sighting

C

to catch sight of

vsto detect

17 2.4

To see someone or something suddenly and for a short time

focuses on proving existence rather than a quick visual moment

D

detected

vsto detect

1 3.0

Found by tests or by tools that measure things

has the same meaning but is the base verb form rather than past participle

D

discovered

vsto detect

1 2.6

Found by study or careful observation

often focuses on establishing presence even when something is hard to notice

N

to nose out

vsto detect

• Informal

1 6.9

Find something after careful searching

can reveal existence even when there has been no long searching

S

to scent out

vsto detect

1 5.6

To find something by smell or by careful searching

uses broader techniques not limited to smell-based searching

How Detectable

to detect

563 3.2

to observe

605 2.4

to spot

585 2.1

to notice

∞ 1.0

to sense

348 4.2

Surface Forms

Etymology