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
Examples 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 discern
To streamline their challenge process, the Warriors want their players to be more discerning on whether to signal to the bench — by circling their index finger — for a review after a whistle.
—
Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 1 Nov. 2024
There is also the difficulty of discerning actual and consequential incidents at the polls.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2024
Before the update, website owners could restrict Google from crawling the results of internal searches, but crawlers at the time were now automatically able to discern which pages were deemed important to index.
—Elaine Mallon, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 27 Oct. 2024
The ancient Romans consulted augurs, who discerned the future by studying the behavior of birds.
—Matthew Continetti, National Review, 26 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for discern 
Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 1 Nov. 2024
There is also the difficulty of discerning actual and consequential incidents at the polls.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2024
Before the update, website owners could restrict Google from crawling the results of internal searches, but crawlers at the time were now automatically able to discern which pages were deemed important to index.
—Elaine Mallon, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 27 Oct. 2024
The ancient Romans consulted augurs, who discerned the future by studying the behavior of birds.
—Matthew Continetti, National Review, 26 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for discern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discern
Verb
-
Diners will soon notice new lighting at the restaurants and new music as part of Adamolekun’s efforts to attract younger customers who might have grown up going to the chain but haven’t been back for some time.CNN.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
-
Some Mail users may notice that the change has already been implemented, and clicking on Mail will open the new Outlook app instead.Kate Irwin, PCMAG, 11 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Evaluate existing roles to differentiate tasks suitable for AI from those requiring human input, creativity, intuition and strategic thinking.Cory McNeley, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
-
Taking the time to select the right images can be the differentiating factor that pushes a pitch over the edge and convinces an investor to read your script.Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
If not, it’s understood that the host will treat the group.Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
-
The opportunity to understand what went wrong vanished when Onyxx was cremated.Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 11 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
There were moments of vulnerability never seen from him before.Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024
-
Instead Trump swept the swing states, won the popular vote and saw Republicans secure control of both houses of Congress.Steven Greenhut, Orange County Register, 15 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
After hopping over to the CW for its next five seasons, Supergirl had to distinguish itself more sharply against its Arrowverse peers, giving its superheroics an earnest social justice streak that was occasionally saccharine but usually infused with just enough charm to carry the day.Joshua Rivera, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024
-
Takagi is currently investigating whether cats can distinguish between a foreign language and the language their humans speak.Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Hoping that Brendan would find it in his heart to spare her husband’s life, and knowing that the IRA was bound to discover his double-identity sooner rather than later, Kathleen confesses to Brendan.Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
-
Two items better known for cleaning swimming pools and moisturizing dry skin might help protect the Earth’s corals and decrease antibiotic resistance and pollution in the ocean.Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 14 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
For Hield, off-ball shooting and player movement is much more natural than spotting up around Joel Embiid post-ups.Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
-
Watch for spotting: Spotting or irregular bleeding is common after insertion, especially with hormonal IUDs.Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Unlike cuneiform, only about half of proto cuneiform symbols have been deciphered so far.Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024
-
Groups are trying to decipher what the ruling means for other proposals to connect power-hungry data centers with America's single largest source of zero-emissions 24/7 electricity.Alan Neuhauser, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near discern
Cite this Entry
“Discern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discern. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share