as in plumbing
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 fathoming
Advertisement Svetlana’s optimistic pretend normalcy and Lyudmila’s practical approach to medication point to impossibility of fathoming the many crushing consequences of the Ukraine crisis.
—
Nina Khrushcheva, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
Nina Khrushcheva, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fathoming
Verb
-
The home also arrives pre-installed with energy-efficient LED fixtures, 110V electrical outlets, and plumbing too—to take one more thing off your plate.—
Miles Walls,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Meanwhile, clinics around the country are closing or scaling back services in the face of funding cuts, further limiting women’s options for in-person care.—
Lisa Jarvis,
Mercury News,
25 Oct. 2025
-
In real life, Springsteen’s insistence on scaling back—with Landau’s support—may have saved his life, or at least his sanity.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fathoming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fathoming. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share