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
reasons that are difficult to discern
: to see or understand the difference
how to discern between fact and fiction
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
To longtime fans, the prospect of any new material from the late legend is rightful cause to salivate, but as the artist's discerning offspring, Tim wasn't entirely sold at first that there was something worth sharing there.
—Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
Doing so will help ensure students become effective citizens who are able to sift through propaganda and distortions to discern what’s real and what’s fake, what’s fact and what’s opinion.
—Rajiv Vinnakota, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
From design to branding to marketing to developing in-store experiences, both our retailers and brands are being thoughtful, creative and discerning with their business decisions.
—Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 27 May 2026
Portfolio depth tells the real story The first place a discerning couple should look when selecting a wedding photographer is at their full body of work.
—Ascend Agency, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for discern
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Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
Doing so will help ensure students become effective citizens who are able to sift through propaganda and distortions to discern what’s real and what’s fake, what’s fact and what’s opinion.
—Rajiv Vinnakota, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
From design to branding to marketing to developing in-store experiences, both our retailers and brands are being thoughtful, creative and discerning with their business decisions.
—Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 27 May 2026
Portfolio depth tells the real story The first place a discerning couple should look when selecting a wedding photographer is at their full body of work.
—Ascend Agency, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for discern
Cite this Entry
“Discern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discern. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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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