Synonyms of discern

discern

verb

di-ˈsərn 

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

• notice
• see
• spot
• eye
• regard
• perceive
• distinguish
• observe
• view
• sight
• look (at)
• remark
• watch
• note
• witness
• identify
• behold
• descry
• catch
• espy
• spy
• get a load of
• consider
• set eyes on
• lay eyes on
• examine
• pick out
• heed
• scrutinize
• inspect
• scan
• study
• mark
• glimpse
• attend (to)
• make out
• survey
• mind
• glance (at)
• pick up
• peer (at)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignore
• disregard
• neglect
• pass over
• miss
• overlook
• overpass

2

as in to differentiate

to understand or point out the difference in

too young to discern between right and wrong

Synonyms & Similar Words

• differentiate
• distinguish
• difference
• discriminate
• separate
• understand
• secern
• comprehend
• know
• grasp
• sever
• contradistinguish
• divide
• set off
• demarcate
• mark (off)
• part

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confuse
• mix (up)
• mistake
• lump (together)
• confound
• mingle

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

• understand
• know
• decipher
• recognize
• comprehend
• see
• grasp
• appreciate
• perceive
• realize
• get
• conceive
• apprehend
• sense
• make
• assimilate
• decode
• dig
• intuit
• seize
• behold
• catch
• register
• make out
• tumble (to)
• grok
• cotton (to or on to)
• fathom
• compass
• catch on (to)
• cognize
• twig
• savvy
• pick up on
• absorb
• digest
• penetrate
• take in
• pierce

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• miss
• misunderstand
• misinterpret
• misread
• misconstrue
• mistake
• misapprehend
• misconceive
• misperceive

Example Sentences

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