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
Those new to his work will easily discern the film’s older footage, some of it captured on grainy DV cameras, while newer material boasts the elegant, widescreen compositions that have become his specialty.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025
Founded in 1830 by Charles Christofle, the company began as a fine jewelry atelier, creating gold and silver pieces for discerning Parisian clientele.
—Angela Tafoya, Architectural Digest, 17 June 2025
There is always the option to try these mattress types in person to better discern what the bounciness of latex feels like, or the pressure relief of memory foam.
—Julia Forbes, Wired News, 17 June 2025
People who read a lot might view their favorite writers not as phoenixes but, rather, as talents along a continuum of other talents, each pleasurable and discerning in their own way.
—S. C. Cornell, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for discern
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Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025
Founded in 1830 by Charles Christofle, the company began as a fine jewelry atelier, creating gold and silver pieces for discerning Parisian clientele.
—Angela Tafoya, Architectural Digest, 17 June 2025
There is always the option to try these mattress types in person to better discern what the bounciness of latex feels like, or the pressure relief of memory foam.
—Julia Forbes, Wired News, 17 June 2025
People who read a lot might view their favorite writers not as phoenixes but, rather, as talents along a continuum of other talents, each pleasurable and discerning in their own way.
—S. C. Cornell, New Yorker, 16 June 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 3 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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