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 The category allows De Beers London to demonstrate its technical prowess while cultivating relationships with its most discerning clients. — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026 When the track properly kicks in, all of the elements of the busy mix from the low-mids and up are well balanced, with the drums, guitar strums, and vocals all easily discerned. — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 13 Oct. 2026 This is to commence with an examination of God as cause, in order, then, to discern the nature of the effect that is the image of God. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 9 Oct. 2026 That's particularly important now as people have become even more discerning about their spending. — Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for discern

Recent Examples of Synonyms for discern

Verb

Be intentional about noticing autumn and Halloween displays on lawns and porches, which seem as popular as ever this year.

— Dana Kelley, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
They are focused on inspecting what is known as the Taraia Object, a visual anomaly that has been visible in aerial photos dating back to 1938 but was first noticed in satellite imagery in 2020.

— Lana Zak, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of notice

Verb

In other words, employers are less able to rely on cover letters to differentiate one candidate from the next.

— Christina Wyman, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
Bringing these creative brands together, giving producers access to a broader pool of talent, IP and resources, while preserving their independence is what differentiates Mediawan.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of differentiate

Verb

But the really impactful part is understanding the function and developing it into a tool.

— Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2026
The committee isn’t fully aware of the muddy bog in which Taverner is currently sinking, but Lamb is starting to understand the shape of it.

— Scott Tobias, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of understand

Verb

But the spring 2027 shows also saw a focus on more than those two accessories categories.

— Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Expect to see rare bottles pulled from the shelves and all manner of weird and wonderful concoctions offered up from the menu and from their encyclopedic knowledge of drinks.

— Condé Nast, cntraveler.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of see

Verb

On the aesthetic front, Vanadium Grey Metallic accents on the sideview-mirror covers, the wheels, the model-designation decals on the doors, and on the badge at the rear help distinguish the latest Carrera T from its siblings.

— Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
For Jekyll-Hyde, the costumes are crucial and add to the characterization, distinguishing the two men inhabiting the same body.

— Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of distinguish

Verb

Depending on the machine and settings, that material ends up in a purge tower built alongside the print, or in a collection of little plastic doll's-house-looking spaghetti balls, affectionately known as printer poop.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
Cringing can therefore manifest as the abashment of not knowing (yet; possibly ever) how to read something.

— Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of know

Verb

Earlier this year, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos was spotted breaking bread with HBO chief content officer Casey Bloys.

— Matt Donnelly, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Krantz said the suspect, a male city resident who has not yet been publicly identified, was spotted entering the school by a community member, who eventually pursued him into the school and shot him.

— Chad de Guzman, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of spot

Verb

Bahdanau was working with artificial neural networks, which had already shown promise in pattern-recognition tasks such as deciphering handwriting and identifying objects in photos.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 12 Oct. 2026
In addition to developing better medicines or perfumes, deciphering the mirror images of molecules can help scientists understand the chemical architecture of life, said chemist Holden Thorp, editor-in-chief of the journal Science.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of discern

verb

Example Sentences

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