1
as in notices
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 differentiates
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 understands
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 discerns
However, her personable commanding officer Majid (Shafi al-Harthi) sees the value in her perspective when a high school student’s body turns up in the desert, and Nawal discerns clues from details which the policemen overlook, from the girl’s manicure to the embroidery on her abaya.
—
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 8 June 2026
Neem discerns within all of this a strange convergence, as both the far right and the far left have come to agree that the history of the United States has been defined by whiteness.
—Yoni Appelbaum, The Atlantic, 8 June 2026
During a ChatGPT conversation, the AI discerns that the person is on the brink of doing something untoward.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 8 June 2026
Neem discerns within all of this a strange convergence, as both the far right and the far left have come to agree that the history of the United States has been defined by whiteness.
—Yoni Appelbaum, The Atlantic, 8 June 2026
During a ChatGPT conversation, the AI discerns that the person is on the brink of doing something untoward.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discerns
Verb
-
Your analytical nature notices quiet details that tell you exactly what to release.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 June 2026
-
When the plumbing works, nobody notices.—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Also, Johanna receives a pretty cool glow-up in the finale, with dramatic make-up and a costume that differentiates this monumental match from her earlier, less prestigious performances.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
-
Correspondent Adam Yamaguchi looks at what differentiates the Japanese diet.—
David Morgan,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Hughton, whose father is from Accra, understands the frustration of a fanbase starved of success for so long.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
Reid understands that people are used to seeing her as her characters or through the lens of her projects but that’s not the full picture.—
Nicole Fell,
HollywoodReporter,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
The deal sees Higher Ground work with Disney arm Disney Kids & Family, which has just been rebranded from Disney Branded Television.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
15 June 2026
-
Popular notions of philanthropy as merely a game for the ultrawealthy to fund partisan projects and commit fraud have left the sector vulnerable to political attacks, as the Council on Foundations sees it, influencing policies that hamper essential community services.—
James Pollard,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Shortly after qualifying, Gilbert spoke with CBS News Miami's Jim DeFede and argued that his experience leading Miami Gardens and serving on the Miami-Dade County Commission distinguishes him from the rest of the field.—
Jim DeFede,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
-
The article distinguishes between burnout, stemming from unsustainable demands, and deeper disconnection, a desire for a new career direction.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Calmus knows firsthand what NICU families face.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
-
From Louis through the book, and then his mother knows exactly how to string him along, when to give him love and when to take it away.—
Precious Fondren,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
In the Africa section, the zoo eyes a revamp of the hippo and crocodile habitats and at least one additional exhibit.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
30 May 2026
-
The New York Knicks took a commanding 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday as the franchise eyes its first NBA Finals berth since 1999.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
Qualcomm’s chip can run Linux, along with Arduino software, and can even do computer vision, which deciphers what a camera sees and translates it into software.—
Kif Leswing,
CNBC,
7 Oct. 2025
-
With that base knowledge and his opponent’s game tape, Nolan analyzes wide receiver alignments and deciphers the offense's attack.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Discerns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discerns. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
