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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of discern
Different elements such as oxygen and hydrogen emit light at very specific wavelengths; discerning such details allows astronomers to nail down an object’s actual redshift—and thus its true distance—with excellent accuracy.
—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
19 June 2026
Critics of TikTok’s most popular novels cast them as poorly written and appealing to readers with less discerning tastes.
—
Angelina Mazza,
Vulture,
19 June 2026
The key is discerning why a discount exists and what could resolve it.
—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
But when a substance becomes a requirement for managing the ordinary needs of caring for children, the line between beneficial use and overreliance can be hard to discern.
—
Sarah Levy,
The Atlantic,
17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for discern
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
19 June 2026
Critics of TikTok’s most popular novels cast them as poorly written and appealing to readers with less discerning tastes.
—
Angelina Mazza,
Vulture,
19 June 2026
The key is discerning why a discount exists and what could resolve it.
—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
But when a substance becomes a requirement for managing the ordinary needs of caring for children, the line between beneficial use and overreliance can be hard to discern.
—
Sarah Levy,
The Atlantic,
17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for discern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discern
Verb
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Court documents say witnesses noticed Lopez acting strangely before the attack.
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Soon though, Shawna noticed some of Zaayer's strange behaviors — including scolding her grandson, getting upset over cleaning habits and allegedly showing them racist videos.
Verb
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What’s even more striking is the fact that the Puerto Rican scalloped hammerheads were not only differentiated from the Northwest Atlantic population, but also showed genetic separation from populations sampled in Belize and Brazil!
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Can voters differentiate between two candidates with the same name?
Verb
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When choosing a warranty, review the contract, check what is covered, and understand the claims process.
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However, it is rarely used on mainstream weather maps and by TV meteorologists, who favor the heat index that has long reigned supreme and is easily understood by the public.
Verb
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As adult influencers dominate online fashion culture, and tweens and teens see the same content as adults, there are fewer spaces for young people to develop styles of their own.
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Messi was trying to get a ball away from an Algerian player when he was seen digging his cleat into the back of the player’s calf.
Verb
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Weather became a way to distinguish Elle from those around her in Seattle.
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Kelce spotlighting Swift’s intelligence A true golden retriever boyfriend distinguishes himself by appreciating his partner’s smarts.
Verb
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Cape Verde 40-year-old goalkeeper Josimar Jose Evora Dias, also known as Vozinha, became a fan favorite along the way.
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Sometimes there is a fine line between being a hero or a bum, but Dave has been able to negotiate that line, because players trust him, and the players know that Dave cares about them and their families.
Verb
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Within hours, he was spotted on Santa Clara Valley Water District property at Camino Arroyo and Gilman Road.
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The marshals received a tip Tuesday that the man had been spotted at his residence in Meridian, the release said.
Verb
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In 2023, the Vesuvius Challenge made its first award for deciphering the first letters, and the following year, the project awarded the grand prize of $700,000 for producing the first readable text.
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On Thursday, the University of Kentucky announced a new $1 million prize to anyone able to decipher a complete scroll, a feat the researchers once considered impossible, by June next year.
Cite this Entry
“Discern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discern. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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