DISCERN Synonyms: 107 Similar and Opposite Words

discern

verb

di-ˈsərn

Definition of discern

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

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

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of discern So, in order to make an extreme contact point work, the batter has to be able to discern balls and strikes really well. — Eno Sarris, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 This celestial season puts everything from your spending habits and income streams and your sense of self-worth under a discerning lens. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 22 Aug. 2026 In a traditional sense, the Rams’ position battles to settle their eventual 53-man roster aren’t for the starting roles like other teams across the league are using the preseason to discern. — Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 21 Aug. 2026 Aside from Big Boi, NYC canine influencer Lumi (@LittleBearLumi on social media) and Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione will bring their discerning eyes to the judges' table. — Pat Mueller, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for discern

Recent Examples of Synonyms for discern

Verb

Researchers identified the activity in May after noticing unusual edits and messages appearing across the site.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026
The Impending Cost to Google Google's current bet is that the average person won't notice the corner-cutting.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of notice

Verb

By taking stem cells from a host’s own body and encouraging them to differentiate before mixing them with a commercially available, soluble matrix gel, researchers may have cracked the most critical problems in the transplant process.

— Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
As foundation models continue to improve, however, simply wrapping an interface around a large language model will become increasingly difficult to differentiate.

— Ganesh Shankar, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of differentiate

Verb

By studying who farts more, who farts less and how flatulence changes with diet, researchers aim to understand how microbes respond to different foods and why some people can tolerate high-fiber diets comfortably while others struggle with gas.

— Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
Scientists have long sought to understand the link between climate change and El Niño.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of understand

Verb

Barclays projects that palm oil, coconut oil, and rubber could rise by 30% to 40% over the next 18 months, coffee could see an additional 20% to 30% surge, and rice could increase by a further 10% to 20%.

— , CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Authorities initially said Saylor’s mother reported that her child had wandered off from a rental home in Hagley Estates in Pawleys Island and was last seen wearing her swimsuit.

— Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of see

Verb

Juveniles can be distinguished by their dark facial bands and gray or tan body patterned with black or brown blotches.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026
However, recent scholarship posits that the structure was used as ordinary (rather than punitive) housing, and that the vulgar decor was in fact a distinguishing characteristic of the epoch.

— Jim Greer, SPIN, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of distinguish

Verb

The death came as the festival endured another year with weather woes, including rain on Friday that temporarily closed a main gate to festival grounds known as Black Rock City.

— Dennis Romero, NBC news, 5 Sep. 2026
As the commission moved toward a vote on the plan, there was a certain resignation among the ballroom skeptics, who knew that they were outnumbered.

— Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of know

Verb

Some Cardinals players were spotted in their dugout ahead of the game sporting crooked caps, and one player incorporated a slight hat-tilting motion into his post-hit celebration.

— Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
But back home in the 305, Brady and Earle were never spotted together again, at least in public, and talk of their possible budding situationship sputtered.

— Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of spot

Verb

These documents that make up your pathology report are important for guiding your treatment but can be difficult to decipher on your own.

— Nicole Pajer, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
And navigating a website might involve deciphering images or knowing what links to click.

— Jennifer D. Kobrin, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of decipher

Browse Nearby Words

discarnate

discern

discerned

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Discern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discern. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of discern

verb

Example Sentences

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