1
as in noticed
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 differentiated
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 understood
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 discerned
Many of these models are trained on stupendously large datasets comprising material culled from online sources, from which broader statistical patterns can be extracted and discerned.
—
Patrick R. Crowley, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
But alas, as those packages pile up outside your apartment door, the boxes inevitably contain a plethora of lulus and turkeys, things that barely fit or flatter you, made of fabric whose cheesiness could not be discerned from the AI photos on the internet.
—Lynn Yaeger, Vogue, 11 Oct. 2025
Guests discerned that their experiences were better at specific races, and attendance numbers fluctuated across the seasons.
—Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
This is why Dijon’s language works best as sound, not narrative—his rangy, raspy voice seethes and triumphs, mocks and threatens; there’s no world in which his polygonal perspective can be discerned from a lyric sheet.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2025
By the fall, his colleagues had discerned something wonderful in his math.
—Quanta Magazine, 8 Aug. 2025
Patrick R. Crowley, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
But alas, as those packages pile up outside your apartment door, the boxes inevitably contain a plethora of lulus and turkeys, things that barely fit or flatter you, made of fabric whose cheesiness could not be discerned from the AI photos on the internet.
—Lynn Yaeger, Vogue, 11 Oct. 2025
Guests discerned that their experiences were better at specific races, and attendance numbers fluctuated across the seasons.
—Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
This is why Dijon’s language works best as sound, not narrative—his rangy, raspy voice seethes and triumphs, mocks and threatens; there’s no world in which his polygonal perspective can be discerned from a lyric sheet.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2025
By the fall, his colleagues had discerned something wonderful in his math.
—Quanta Magazine, 8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discerned
Verb
-
Plus, the company has noticed a pronounced shift in both customers adjusting the sizes listed in their online profiles and requesting smaller sizes, Baer added.—
Melissa Repko,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2026
-
That’s when Levinson noticed a giant poster on Zimmer’s wall for Once Upon a Time in the West, the 1968 Sergio Leone spaghetti Western with Claudia Cardinale and Henry Fonda.—
Shirley Halperin,
Rolling Stone,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Most supporters of the war have differentiated between the pope’s jurisdiction on theological matters versus political matters.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Even when they were warned to look out for deepfakes, the doctors only differentiated them accurately 75% of the time.—
Theresa Gaffney,
STAT,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But if justice is to be understood as fairness, as per Rawls’s scheme, ignorance is the key concept.—
George G. Szpiro,
Big Think,
9 Apr. 2026
-
At the time, disability wasn't understood as a civil rights issue.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
He was spotted in a blue jacket and white collared shirt hobnobbing and posing for photos with cast members and other event attendees.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The Artemis 4 candidate landing sites are grouped around the south pole below Moretus at the extreme edge of the lunar disk, though only a glimpse of the most northerly sites such as Nobel Crater and Malapert Massif can be spotted when lunar libration is favorable.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Second, the two sides must be readily distinguishable from each other, usually by applying color or markings to one side, although in rare cases they can be distinguished by shape, with one side being convex and the other being concave.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Across a wide range of practice areas, from corporate law and litigation to emerging fields influenced by technology and global policy, today’s most influential lawyers are distinguished by their vision, dedication, and ability to adapt in a rapidly changing environment.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The state knew the problem was extensive, but wasn’t sure where the leaks were.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
-
What is particularly devastating about the Polygon’s story is that Soviet state institutions knew about the health impacts of radiation exposure early on.—
Magdalena Stawkowski,
The Conversation,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Moving a blade back and forth to try to saw biscuits apart will make their layers stick (and ruin the rise).—
Ella Quittner,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Ruggeri says that, in comparison to saw palmetto, which gets far more attention.—
Adam Hurly,
Robb Report,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, scientists identified the virus, deciphered its secrets, concocted a vaccine, put it into production, and rendered the disease manageable – all within a year.—
David Blumenthal,
Fortune,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Researchers using advanced imaging technology have deciphered 79 previously invisible inscriptions — including love notes, drawings of gladiators, and everyday messages — on a wall in the ancient city of Pompeii, offering a rare window into the lives of ordinary people nearly 2,000 years ago.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Discerned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discerned. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
