discern

verb

di-ˈsərn How to pronounce discern (audio)
Definition of discernnext
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

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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

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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
  1. notice
  2. differentiate
  3. understand
  4. see
  5. distinguish
  6. know
  7. spot
  8. decipher
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
  • That was John Watson, who won the 1983 United States Grand Prix West (named to differentiate between the multiple American races back then) from 22nd on the grid for McLaren.
    — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • So, the research team, with help from Song Taegeun, a professor at the Kongju National University and used machine learning to differentiate oscillation components, even when beating patterns changed with the gate voltage.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 4 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
  • Missouri's confusion comes amid a spate of redistricting across the country normally seen just once a decade after each census.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The Seahawks used that coverage on nearly 50% of its defensive snaps in the Super Bowl, the highest rate Maye saw all season.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 10 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
  • No, multiple academics have attempted to decipher the meaning behind the mightily adorable meow of the domestic house cat.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of decipher

Browse Nearby Words

discarnate
discern
discerned
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Cite this Entry

“Discern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discern. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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