fathom

as in to plumb
to measure the depth of (as a body of water) typically with a weighted line the pilot had to continually fathom the river, which drought conditions had lowered to unprecedented levels

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Example 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 fathom The whole experience proved a bit hard to fathom for a player now with five wins on Tour spread out over 12 seasons. Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2025 Though hard to fathom wrapping one’s arms around such a massive undertaking, in one volume no less, Hiltzik proceeds methodically but vigorously, and with a healthy dose of skepticism. Meg Zukin, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2025 Adding Brendan Rodgers to a growing list of non-roster infielders initiates a scenario this franchise hasn’t had to fathom across the past 13 seasons. Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025 However, a gulf this wide between first and second in the odds is hard to fathom. Zach Harper, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fathom
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fathom
Verb
  • His boundless contempt for it plumbed a new low with an executive order demanding, among other things, that everyone must show proof of citizenship before being allowed to register or update their voting registrations.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Steeped in tradition, such companies offer rich histories to plumb.
    Julie Belcove, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Start small, solve a real problem, and scale strategically.
    Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
  • The Trump administration, among other things, has moved to close Social Security Administration field offices, cut funding for government health programs and scale back protections for transgender people.
    Philip Marcelo, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Croatan spans 160,000 acres and includes pine forests, saltwater estuaries, bogs, and raised swamps.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2025
  • There are 14 parks in Texas, two National Parks and three national trails which also span into neighboring states.
    Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fathom.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fathom. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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