discerned; discerning; discerns
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
: to see or understand the difference
discerner
noun
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
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 on the Web
The key is discerning between those who are willing to grow and those who choose to sow discord.
—Jennifer C. Wolfe, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
With moon light and a carbide light, Tobe could discern the eyes of several gators.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Some artists report losing significant opportunities and having to switch careers because of the genre’s downturn; others are paranoid, unable to discern the real from the hoax.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 2 July 2025
Sammarco said the coroner's office is asking for the public's help in identifying the man and reaching his family because investigators' efforts to discern his identity have so far proved unsuccessful.
—Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for discern
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Jennifer C. Wolfe, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
With moon light and a carbide light, Tobe could discern the eyes of several gators.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Some artists report losing significant opportunities and having to switch careers because of the genre’s downturn; others are paranoid, unable to discern the real from the hoax.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 2 July 2025
Sammarco said the coroner's office is asking for the public's help in identifying the man and reaching his family because investigators' efforts to discern his identity have so far proved unsuccessful.
—Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for discern
Cite this Entry
“Discern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discern. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
1
: to detect with the eyes : distinguish
discern an airplane in the clouds
2
: to come to know, recognize, or understand
discern the basic issue
discern right from wrong
discernible
adjective
-ˈər-nə-bəl
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