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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of discern
According to recent reporting in the New York Times, NOAA and the Energy Department are working on a detection system to be able to discern if any country or nongovernmental actor is pursuing such a plan.
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Andrew Freedman, Axios, 2 Dec. 2024
Working together, you and the team are expected to discern what works best and what should best be left aside.
—Ronald Klingebiel
lucas Böttcher, Harvard Business Review, 2 Dec. 2024
Pick up a luxe tote or a convenient phone crossbody for the most discerning woman on your list.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 2 Dec. 2024
But these discerning judges were more interested in playability than pedigree.
—Neal Rubin, Detroit Free Press, 26 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for discern 
Andrew Freedman, Axios, 2 Dec. 2024
Working together, you and the team are expected to discern what works best and what should best be left aside.
—Ronald Klingebiel
lucas Böttcher, Harvard Business Review, 2 Dec. 2024
Pick up a luxe tote or a convenient phone crossbody for the most discerning woman on your list.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 2 Dec. 2024
But these discerning judges were more interested in playability than pedigree.
—Neal Rubin, Detroit Free Press, 26 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for discern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discern
Verb
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The ultimate goal will be for consumers to notice any difference and to an iPhone that ‘just works’.Ewan Spence, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
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While at the event, Ray and Cusimano noticed each other because they were surrounded by taller people.Julie Tremaine, People.com, 7 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Cinematographer Edward Lachman used various film stocks to differentiate her story.Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 13 Dec. 2024
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That’s what differentiates Allen from someone like Lamar Jackson.Harry Enten, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
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For occasional or seasonal consumption or lower levels of contamination, more research is needed to understand how lead in spices would affect lead levels in the blood.Katarzyna Kordas, Discover Magazine, 7 Dec. 2024
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Further clinical trials are needed to better understand and assess the potential mechanisms at work.New Atlas, New Atlas, 7 Dec. 2024
Verb
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On December 5, the 29-year-old model was seen in a dressed down fall uniform that was, well, both in and out of my price range.Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024
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This legacy in racing has seen the team achieve strong successes, including their first win in 2000 with Robbie Buhl, and a history of fielding prominent drivers such as Al Unser Jr., Sarah Fisher, and Ryan Hunter-Reay.Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
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So much about gift-giving now is as straightforward as clicking a button online, but several of these Chicago stores distinguish themselves by being independent experts in their field.Ahmed Ali Akbar, Chicago Tribune, 11 Dec. 2024
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An ability to distinguish between sentimentality and sentiment.Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Keselowski's entry into RFK Racing in 2021 marked a turning point for the team, formerly known as Roush Fenway Racing.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
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The Eagles know their offense can’t devolve into a frustrating mess for a second straight season.Brooks Kubena, The Athletic, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The podcast host took to X to share his thoughts on the drones, which have been spotted in recent weeks and triggered an FBI investigation.Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
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Some of the drones, or multiple sightings of the same drone, have been spotted over military installations and other sensitive sites such as President-elect Donald Trump's golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey.John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Daboll’s fourth-down decisions were typically hard to decipher.Dan Duggan, The Athletic, 9 Dec. 2024
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Paul has come to think of this period as the beginning of her decades-long attempt to decipher life as it is lived, not as it is schematized by contemporary philosophy.Alice Gregory, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near discern
Cite this Entry
“Discern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discern. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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