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
In theory, the process allows the two agents to poke holes in each other’s arguments until the judge has enough information to discern the truth.
—Stephen Ornes, Quanta Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024
Sometimes the responses of the AI are obviously biased, while at other times the bias is subtle and difficult to directly discern.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
With this record-setting sale, Perry not only continues to elevate her professional standing, but also underscores the exceptional real estate opportunities that continue to attract discerning buyers to this iconic destination.
—Amplified Content Studio, The Mercury News, 31 Oct. 2024
The first steps in discerning whether a relationship is possible with someone usually requires, at the very least, a basic sense of reciprocity and effort.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 1 Nov. 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.
Stephen Ornes, Quanta Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024
Sometimes the responses of the AI are obviously biased, while at other times the bias is subtle and difficult to directly discern.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
With this record-setting sale, Perry not only continues to elevate her professional standing, but also underscores the exceptional real estate opportunities that continue to attract discerning buyers to this iconic destination.
—Amplified Content Studio, The Mercury News, 31 Oct. 2024
The first steps in discerning whether a relationship is possible with someone usually requires, at the very least, a basic sense of reciprocity and effort.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 1 Nov. 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 21 Nov. 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