discerned; discerning; discerns
1
a
: to detect with the eyes
discerned a figure approaching through the fog
b
: to detect with senses other than vision
discerned a strange odor
2
: to recognize or identify as separate and distinct : discriminate
discern right from wrong
3
: to come to know or recognize mentally
unable to discern his motives
: to see or understand the difference
discerner
noun
Synonyms
Examples of discern in a Sentence
A careful analysis of the "Nutrition Facts" panels might provide some guidance, but you would have to do a lot of math before you could discern the best choice.
—
David L. Katz, O, The Oprah Magazine, August 2008
The ability to discern value at a glimpse, to sift the useful out of the rejected with as little expenditure of energy as possible, is the great talent of the scavenger.
—Matthew Power, Harper's, December 2006
Astronomers are delighted to have found 19 galaxies that appear to be bent out of shape. The distorted images are cosmic mirages, arcs or rings of light created when the gravity of a massive foreground object bends and magnifies the light from a galaxy lying behind it. Albert Einstein predicted the effect … in 1936, but telescopes at the time weren't powerful enough to discern it.
—R. Cowen, Science News, 21 Jan. 2006
Despite the layers of ironic hesitation, the reader soon discerns that the emotions informing the book are raw and, more importantly, authentic.
—Publishers Weekly, 13 Dec. 1999
The reasons behind this sudden change are difficult to discern.
barely able to discern the garden gate through the mist
David L. Katz, O, The Oprah Magazine, August 2008
The ability to discern value at a glimpse, to sift the useful out of the rejected with as little expenditure of energy as possible, is the great talent of the scavenger.
—Matthew Power, Harper's, December 2006
Astronomers are delighted to have found 19 galaxies that appear to be bent out of shape. The distorted images are cosmic mirages, arcs or rings of light created when the gravity of a massive foreground object bends and magnifies the light from a galaxy lying behind it. Albert Einstein predicted the effect … in 1936, but telescopes at the time weren't powerful enough to discern it.
—R. Cowen, Science News, 21 Jan. 2006
Despite the layers of ironic hesitation, the reader soon discerns that the emotions informing the book are raw and, more importantly, authentic.
—Publishers Weekly, 13 Dec. 1999
The reasons behind this sudden change are difficult to discern.
barely able to discern the garden gate through the mist
Recent Examples on the Web
And to be fair to Reynolds, discerning comedy and drama has become a gray area for Hollywood.
—Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 6 Dec. 2024
As global investors grapple with the complexities of a rapidly evolving economy, Hong Kong emerges as a beacon of opportunity and success, inviting discerning investors to partake in its promise of prosperity.
—New Cies Contributor, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
Scientists first confirmed that insects could act as disease vectors in the late 19th century, and in the decades after, researchers tried to discern whether bedbugs were dangerous too.
—Kristen V. Brown, The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2024
Panetta, 86, said senators must dutifully discern whether Hegseth has the appropriate virtues and traits to oversee the world's largest military force if the Army National Guard veteran and former Fox News host ultimately decides not to withdraw.
—Jason Fields, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for discern 
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.
Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 6 Dec. 2024
As global investors grapple with the complexities of a rapidly evolving economy, Hong Kong emerges as a beacon of opportunity and success, inviting discerning investors to partake in its promise of prosperity.
—New Cies Contributor, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
Scientists first confirmed that insects could act as disease vectors in the late 19th century, and in the decades after, researchers tried to discern whether bedbugs were dangerous too.
—Kristen V. Brown, The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2024
Panetta, 86, said senators must dutifully discern whether Hegseth has the appropriate virtues and traits to oversee the world's largest military force if the Army National Guard veteran and former Fox News host ultimately decides not to withdraw.
—Jason Fields, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for discern
Dictionary Entries Near discern
Cite this Entry
“Discern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discern. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
1
: to detect with the eyes : distinguish
discern an airplane in the clouds
2
: to come to know, recognize, or understand
discern the basic issue
discern right from wrong
discernible
adjective
-ˈər-nə-bəl
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share