1
as in to notice
to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes
barely able to discern the garden gate through the mist
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to differentiate
to understand or point out the difference in
too young to discern between right and wrong
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to understand
to have a clear idea of
we're still trying to discern the meaning of that cryptic remark
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of discern
Today's ultra-luxury properties bring together exceptional design, cutting-edge features, and meticulous attention to detail, setting new standards for what discerning buyers seek.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
Just as producers in the west have found buyers increasingly discerning and risk-averse in the hunt for hits, there is little room for incredibly expansive ideas in India.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2025
More than ever, discerning travelers are looking for personalized and curated experiences that are digestibly packaged and super unique.
—Adam Deflorian, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
How to tell the panda bears apart Gazing at the pandas, visitors at the National Zoo may wish to discern who is who.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for discern 
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
Just as producers in the west have found buyers increasingly discerning and risk-averse in the hunt for hits, there is little room for incredibly expansive ideas in India.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2025
More than ever, discerning travelers are looking for personalized and curated experiences that are digestibly packaged and super unique.
—Adam Deflorian, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
How to tell the panda bears apart Gazing at the pandas, visitors at the National Zoo may wish to discern who is who.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for discern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discern
Verb
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According to the judgment, Woodward-Fisher’s wife had noticed a problem with clothes moths (Tineola Bisselliella) in early 2018 after new insulation was installed as part of major building works.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN,
11 Feb. 2025
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And Wall Street noticed, sending shares of the company up 24 percent to $12.38 on Monday.—
David Moin,
WWD,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Royal Caribbean takes pains to differentiate those spaces from others on board.—
Nathan Diller,
USA TODAY,
17 Feb. 2025
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Picking your form of government used to feel like an existential choice, but now despotism and oligarchy are hardly differentiated.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
12 Feb. 2025
Verb
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To put a platform, both of economic stimulus and of growth, where people can continue to enjoy the culture, but also understand the meaning of it beyond the big event.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
11 Feb. 2025
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When policies improve learning, the researchers say, schools need to know that — and to understand why.—
Cory Turner,
NPR,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Fox and another man were seen driving away from a residence in the 39300 block of Melbourne Court in Beach Park at around noon.—
Clifford Ward,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Feb. 2025
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On Sunday, cast members who appear in a red-carpet pre-event ahead of the show’s 50th anniversary special will see a lot more from sponsors.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Many of the sharks in this area are juveniles and haven’t yet fully developed the ability to distinguish between humans and their natural prey, which includes fish, stingrays and other sharks.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
13 Feb. 2025
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Many of the sharks in this area are juveniles and fail to distinguish between humans and their prey, which includes fish, stingrays and other sharks, according to the statement.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Apparently, the older man does have the security clearance to know what happened, because his hand — which Cal presses to the device — unlocks the files.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
11 Feb. 2025
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The pressure will be higher in our next earning cycle, because everyone wants to know: what does this mean.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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After 19 years of wrangling puppies for Puppy Bowl, Schade quickly spots when a dog needs time on the bench.—
Kelli Bender,
People.com,
7 Feb. 2025
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Among the bustling crowd, notable partygoers spotted were Nicky Hilton Rothschild, Fernando Garcia, Laura Kim, Prabal Gurung, Athena Calderone, Charlotte Groenveld, and many more.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Once upon a planet Scholars have deciphered some of the first words from a Herculaneum scroll burned and buried in AD 79 during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN,
8 Feb. 2025
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Furthermore, the pole-to-pole probe will collect measurements at multiple times of day over sunlit regions, helping researchers decipher whether water signatures on the illuminated surface change as the lunar surface temperature changes by hundreds of degrees over the course of a lunar day.—
Leonard David,
Space.com,
4 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near discern
Cite this Entry
“Discern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discern. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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