1
as in to notice
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to differentiate
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 to understand
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 discern
Infused with hydrolyzed collagen and elastin, as well as niacinamide and squalane, the radiance-boosting salve has impressed even the most discerning skin-care pros.
—
Jenny Berg, Vogue, 30 July 2025
With whispers of a recession consumers are becoming more discerning with their spending.
—Essence, 28 July 2025
Millennials who came of age when Creed and other bands like them ruled the charts, have fonder memories than the seemingly more discerning adults of the time recall.
—Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 21 July 2025
On the other sit the readers, especially discerning Gen Z audiences who crave analogue textures, real bodies and the subtle flaws that signal human artistry.
—Moin Roberts-Islam, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for discern
Jenny Berg, Vogue, 30 July 2025
With whispers of a recession consumers are becoming more discerning with their spending.
—Essence, 28 July 2025
Millennials who came of age when Creed and other bands like them ruled the charts, have fonder memories than the seemingly more discerning adults of the time recall.
—Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 21 July 2025
On the other sit the readers, especially discerning Gen Z audiences who crave analogue textures, real bodies and the subtle flaws that signal human artistry.
—Moin Roberts-Islam, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for discern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discern
Verb
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Radhi, an Ayurvedic enthusiast, noticed Jay’s sweet tooth was something deeper than an occasional craving.—
Omaid Homayun,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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Changes at the federal level also affect flu shots, though most people won’t notice.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Plastics Strategy as Capital Market Differentiation Global investors are increasingly differentiating between high-risk commodity plastics and resilient specialty applications.—
Trond Arne Undheim,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
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These voters are winnable by the party that differentiates itself by refusing to add to our dysfunction.—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Trained to understand player context and urgency, these systems ensure that the support is fast, relevant and empathetic.—
Anees Ali Khan,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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In an article published through the National Institute of Justice, Brown and others interviewed former extremists in the United States, as well as their family and friends, to better understand the shift from participating in ideological debate to taking violent actions.—
Natalie Eilbert,
jsonline.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Enquirer reached out to Kings Island following the announcement of the ride's closure to see what would replace Boo Blasters and if the building would be torn down.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
The Enquirer,
13 Aug. 2025
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Anyone who’s hoping to see Byrne reunite with Talking Heads is out of luck.—
Simon Vozick-Levinson,
Rolling Stone,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The team took apart the malaria problem and tried something new: detect the wingbeat frequency—to distinguish it from other insects—of a female Anopheles in flight and shoot it down.—
Robert C. Wolcott,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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The fraudsters are poisoning the well for profit and if they're not stopped soon, then the days of being able to trust the body of scientific literature, and of having the ability to distinguish between scientific fact and scientific fake, may be coming to an end.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Chicago Sky Operating Chairman Nadia Rawlinson knows there isn’t a singular solution to this problem.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Aug. 2025
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Mass Ave resident Jeff Stroebel knows in this day and age people are always on their phones.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
9 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Though Billy generally stays out of the spotlight, he can occasionally be spotted on Appleton’s Instagram.—
Ariana Quihuiz,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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In the final moments of Wednesday Season 4, Tyler spots Wednesday at the end of the hallway and charges at her in full Hyde form.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The article includes a fancy-looking formula central to the algorithm, but the formula is nearly impossible to decipher since the authors didn’t bother to explain half the symbols in it.—
Noah Giansiracusa,
Time,
7 Aug. 2025
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We’re left to decipher the difference between fact and fiction.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Discern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discern. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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