discern

verb dis·cern \ di-ˈsərn , -ˈzərn \

|Updated on: 4 Aug 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

It’s easier to be discerning and more fairly critical of the guys who are back for more.

— jeremy woo, SI.com, "The Summer League Leap: Second-Year Players Making an Impact in Las Vegas," 9 July 2018
In a summer dominated by superhero movies, with little options available for the discerning moviegoer, RBG, from directors Julie Cohen and Betsy West, is providing a welcome respite.

— nicole sperling, HWD, "RBG, a Documentary about Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Has Become an Unlikely Box-Office Hit," 24 May 2018
In fact, the strains were genetically different on different continents—suggesting that C. auris had not begun in one place and then spread by transmission, but had arisen simultaneously everywhere, for reasons no one could discern.

— maryn mckenna, WIRED, "The Strange and Curious Case of the Deadly Superbug Yeast," 13 July 2018
The account painted a grim picture for the network, which has excelled, thanks to its incredibly discerning taste and prestige-level programming.

— bryan bishop, The Verge, "AT&T plans to expand HBO, but could destroy it in the process," 11 July 2018
Unfortunately, the photo was too dark to clearly discern individual items inside the store.

— dennis sullivan, Daily Southtown, "New mural in Crete opens a window into historic building's past," 6 July 2018
For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself.

— WSJ, "For Catholics, Communion Comes With Limits," 6 July 2018
With a buzzy list of interior and antique shops, cheese and specialty purveyors, cocktail bars and open air markets, there’s something for every discerning traveler.

— ariel okin, Vogue, "A Tiny Town Neighboring Napa Is the Next California Culinary Destination," 5 July 2018
As a result, more fans have become just as discerning of women wrestlers’ skills and storylines as those of male wrestlers.

— rené a. guzman, San Antonio Express-News, "Women’s wrestling now spotlights athleticism and skills over looks," 3 July 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