as in wise
having or showing deep understanding and intelligent application of knowledge
a discerning critic of modern art
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in noticing
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in differentiating
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 understanding
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 discerning
Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 10 Feb. 2026
More Magnificent Seven earnings are coming next week, helping to decide the direction of a stock market that's becoming more discerning, while the latest data on the labor market will cast light on the state of the economy.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
Marisa Meltzer visits with Jean-Claude and Anne-Marie Colban, the siblings who run the business and dress its discerning clientele.
—Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for discerning
Adjective
The costs, the drama, the precision, all of it needs to be at an even higher expression than usual, and that’s precisely why the most discerning luxury brands are so keen to align themselves with Snow Polo—Robb Report was a media partner.
—Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 10 Feb. 2026
More Magnificent Seven earnings are coming next week, helping to decide the direction of a stock market that's becoming more discerning, while the latest data on the labor market will cast light on the state of the economy.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
His ascent has served as a full-circle validation of both his own determination and the Royals’ discerning eye on him.
—Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
Marisa Meltzer visits with Jean-Claude and Anne-Marie Colban, the siblings who run the business and dress its discerning clientele.
—Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for discerning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discerning
Adjective
-
The Reds have been a pleasant surprise in the Eastern Conference of MLS and are comfortably in the mix of top east teams, standings wise.—
Braidon Nourse,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Flavor-wise, both the Molten Lava Cake and Strawberry Burst were pleasant, but less singularly memorable than the Cinnamon Caramel Pop-Tart.—
Joseph Erbentraut,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Women suffering through the hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes and sleep problems that can come with menopause — all while looking in the mirror and noticing signs of aging — are being bombarded with products.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
But people in the capital began noticing.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
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
-
Such initiatives are crucial for understanding how our home star emits radiation, a life-and-death concern for human spaceflight missions — particularly for trips to the moon, as NASA is pursuing with the Artemis program, or Mars.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2026
-
And if moderation within that system is limited, as some argue, then the challenge for policymakers is not simply negotiation, but understanding the ideology that drives it.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
That move, which may have seemed prudent at the time, ended up killing off the TFG’s chances.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Local launch traffic will likely be heavy, so leaving yourself hours of flexibility is prudent.—
Elizabeth Howell,
Space.com,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The way out of this bind is going to require all of us to get better at spotting the output of AI, and to continue shaming those who get caught red keyboarded.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Police then lost sight of the vehicle before spotting it being driven west on Campbell Avenue, where the driver abruptly stopped in front of a bar, according to Allard.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The criterion of self-consciousness, meanwhile, is of no use for the practical task of distinguishing between human and nonhuman digital activity.—
Andrey Mir,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Per Alström, a researcher involved in the study, described the challenge of distinguishing the two species by conventional means.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Moderate exercise helps, but high-intensity overtraining can raise cortisol further, worth knowing if punishing workouts are already part of a stressed routine.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Ruca told Fox News Digital there were a few bittersweet feelings going into the match, just knowing what the two have been through together.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Discerning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discerning. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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