discern

verb dis·cern \ di-ˈsərn , -ˈzərn \

|Updated on: 23 Jun 2018

Examples: discern in a Sentence

Definition of discern

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to see or understand the difference

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discerner

noun

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discernible

or less commonly discernable play \-ˈsər-nə-bəl, -ˈzər-\ adjective

—

discernibly

play \-blē\ adverb

See discern defined for English-language learners

See discern defined for kids

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

Recent Examples of discern from the Web

Congressional leaders were caught largely off-balance by the announcement and scrambled to discern whether the meeting was actually canceled, or if the President’s letter was merely a negotiating ploy.

— brian bennett, Time, "President Trump Canceled the North Korea Summit to Get the Upper Hand," 24 May 2018
The idea is to pull back the curtain on the dog and cat food-making process, and, perhaps more importantly, bring in discerning millennial buyers to Petco’s physical stores.

— jennifer van grove, sandiegouniontribune.com, "What is Fido eating? Petco will show you with in-store kitchens," 17 May 2018
My hair helps me to discern the intentions of people, actually.

— Allure, "Women From Three Faith Communities Share How Their Long Hair and Spirituality Are Connected," 17 May 2018
Ibáñez aims to discern how isolation from society and exposure to violence might have impaired their emotional processing and moral judgement.

— sara reardon, Scientific American, "Colombia after the Violence," 9 May 2018
Those with discerning eyes will note the model wears a fresh front fascia with new LED running lights.

— greg fink, Car and Driver, "2019 Kia Optima: Slim and Trim Changes," 29 Mar. 2018
But terrorism turned out to be too diffuse and far-flung, an enemy without headquarters, difficult to discern or defeat.

— peter slezkine, The New Republic, "What Happened to the “Free World”?," 22 May 2018
The value of a celebrity cameo is difficult to discern.

— rebecca farley, refinery29.com, "Which Ocean's 11 Star Had The Better Superhero Movie Cameo?," 18 May 2018
Since Korean beauty began gaining popularity stateside, it's become more difficult to discern the good from the great and the great from the unparalleled.

— kaleigh fasanella, Allure, "Exclusive: Peach & Lily Is Bringing the Korean Skin-Care Brand Ground Plan to the U.S.," 15 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'discern.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of discern

Middle English, from Middle French discerner, from Latin discernere to separate, distinguish between, from dis- apart + cernere to sift — more at dis-, certain

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year