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
  • Brands need to inject an extra something into their clothing to differentiate.
    — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 28 Oct. 2026
  • What differentiates this unsparing epic from the scores of other stories about the Greatest Generation, however, is that some of its characters are good at football.
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 27 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Defense challenges claims of disruption Sabatini sought to undermine the university’s account by distinguishing between students feeling frightened and actual interruptions to academic activities.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Yet the reporting does not clearly distinguish between regional conditions that increase risk and findings establishing why these buildings developed mold.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 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 3 Nov. 2026.

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