Definition of secernnext
as in to differentiate
to understand or point out the difference in those philistines who seemingly cannot secern artistic depiction of the nude from blatant pornography

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for secern
Verb
  • Anonymity will continue to be Reddit’s differentiating factor.
    Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Or, at least, differentiating that the sandwiches Wawa and other convenience stores and delis in the area sell are in fact called hoagies.
    Kaitlyn McCormick, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Published in 2021 by a team of scholars in such fields as Jewish studies and Holocaust history, it was created to help distinguish hatred of Jews from criticism of Israel.
    Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Cook also said Idaho State Police does not have a test that is able to distinguish between synthetic and natural-leaf kratom.
    Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 30 Mar. 2026
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Secern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secern. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

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