discernment

noun

dis·​cern·​ment di-ˈsərn-mənt 

-ˈzərn-

1

: the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure : skill in discerning

2

: an act of perceiving or discerning something

Synonyms

• insight
• perception
• perceptiveness
• perceptivity
• sagaciousness
• sagacity
• sageness
• sapience
• wisdom

Choose the Right Synonym for discernment

discernment, discrimination, perception, penetration, insight, acumen mean a power to see what is not evident to the average mind.

discernment stresses accuracy (as in reading character or motives or appreciating art).

the discernment to know true friends

discrimination stresses the power to distinguish and select what is true or appropriate or excellent.

the discrimination that develops through listening to a lot of great music

perception implies quick and often sympathetic discernment (as of shades of feeling).

a novelist of keen perception into human motives

penetration implies a searching mind that goes beyond what is obvious or superficial.

lacks the penetration to see the scorn beneath their friendly smiles

insight suggests depth of discernment coupled with understanding sympathy.

a documentary providing insight into the plight of the homeless

acumen implies characteristic penetration combined with keen practical judgment.

a director of reliable box-office acumen

Examples of discernment in a Sentence

I wasn't sanguine about my powers of discernment, as I've failed similar exercises in the Central Park Ramble, where I practice bird-watching for dummies and am scarcely able to distinguish a rook from a duck. —Judith Thurman, New Yorker, 1 Dec., 2003

Varying widely in scope and theme, the 10 essays about the Bill of Rights in this collection often shine with insight and sparkling turns of phrase; some, however, betray lack of discernment. —Jonathan Kellerman et al., Publishers Weekly, 17 Apr. 2000

If one searched the archives to find an example of Spanish colonial policy at its worst, one would surely select Don Carlos Benites Franquis de Lugo, a vain, arrogant, opinionated fop who never displayed a shred of either courage or discernment but who did distinguish himself as one of the most inept and vengeful Spaniards ever to function overseas. —James A. Michener, Texas, 1985

His lack of discernment led to his disastrous choice of business partners.

the discernment to know when someone is a true friend

Recent Examples on the Web

The partisan rivalry that wasn’t supposed to happen gripped these men of discernment in that year’s enormously bitter presidential election. —Jonathan Schlefer, Foreign Affairs, 15 Mar. 2021

Judgment integration is about incorporating expert and ethical human discernment to make AI’s output more trustworthy, reliable, and accurate. —H. James Wilson paul R. Daugherty, Harvard Business Review, 12 Aug. 2024

Still, while the disco group has not voiced discernment for using their hit song, other artists have not been shy about condemning their music being played on the former president's 2024 campaign trail. —Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 13 Aug. 2024

Which is tricky, as historically, discernment has been the curator’s job. —Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 30 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

discern + -ment, perhaps after Middle French discernement

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

discernment

noun

dis·​cern·​ment dis-ˈərn-mənt 

diz-

: the quality of being able to understand clearly