as in wise
having or showing deep understanding and intelligent application of knowledge
a discerning critic of modern art
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in noticing
to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes
barely able to discern the garden gate through the mist
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in differentiating
to understand or point out the difference in
too young to discern between right and wrong
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in understanding
to have a clear idea of
we're still trying to discern the meaning of that cryptic remark
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of discerning
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Audiences are more discerning than ever due to oversaturation.
—Jenna Guarneri, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 23 Sep. 2025
The private jet use marketplace is competitive, and the customers are discerning.
—Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discerning
Adjective
Savvy Mercury also entered Virgo on Sept. 2, polishing our communication while inspiring a more discerning approach to our exchanges and immediate surroundings.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Audiences are more discerning than ever due to oversaturation.
—Jenna Guarneri, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
Now in its 17th year, The Ritz-Carlton Cayman Cookout offers discerning gastronomes the chance to savor exceptional fare in a spirited atmosphere.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 23 Sep. 2025
The private jet use marketplace is competitive, and the customers are discerning.
—Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discerning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discerning
Adjective
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There are many layers that get peeled back in this wise film.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
30 Sep. 2025
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That won’t be the case every week, but Diggs looks up to speed — healthy and chemistry-wise — which puts him in the WR3/4 conversation and gives that Boutte the boot.—
Jake Ciely,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The dangers of not having a name After Hugh-Jones published his 1955 paper, researchers around the globe started noticing similar cases that didn't fit Type 1 or Type 2.—
Jonathan Lambert,
NPR,
29 Sep. 2025
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Anderson says, suddenly noticing the red light on my recorder.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In addition to the cohosts getting into memorable spats over Harris' bid for the presidency, during a pre-2024 election interview on the show in October of last year, Harris responded to one of Hostin's questions that inquired about differentiating herself from President Biden's policies.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Sep. 2025
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Beyond differentiating between the sounds, the team also confirmed consistent seasonal patterns in the grouper’s spawning activity that are closely linked to lunar cycles.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And without understanding these models at a deep level, they can’t be trusted to do anything where failure is not an option.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
1 Oct. 2025
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While there’s no single biomarker that can perfectly predict disease or mortality, there are many that reign supreme in understanding women’s overall health and disease risk.—
Alexa Mikhail,
Flow Space,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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At this point, a prudent President would have stayed silent.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
26 Sep. 2025
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And for a program run by a nation-state or a billionaire that doesn't want to have a rocket blow up, this is prudent.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Health inspectors closed the Southeast Asian restaurant after spotting several live adult and juvenile German cockroaches in areas including under sinks.—
Sarah Linn,
Sacbee.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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With a little awareness and the right tools, spotting and avoiding these scams becomes much easier.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In the current threat environment, the offenders are often not distinguishing.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
28 Sep. 2025
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This is not distinguishing Russia.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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For the first 330 days, Goldberg-Polin fought to save her son’s life, not knowing he was executed on day 328.—
Romina Ruiz-Goiriena,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
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That dominance, with Chapman often waiting in the wings, gave Cora the advantage of managing seven-inning games, knowing any lead was likely safe over the final two frames.—
Michael Hurley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Discerning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discerning. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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