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to discern

to discern

70 5.8
To notice something that is hard to see or hear
  • verb
  • /dɪˈsɜrn/
translation icon : distinguir
  • Further analysis is required to discern any differences between national and California trends.
  • discern small details
  • discern patterns
  • discern a difference

Like, how do we discern the good from the bad actors?

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Examples

  • As the fog lifted, we could finally discern the shapes of the mountains in the distance.

  • When we started working together, you had lost your capacity to discern reality from fiction.

  • The whole idea is to create space to be able to discern that voice.

  • Sarah, the only way to discern the truth of any vision is to measure it against the word of God.

  • The question is, can we discern any pattern in the numbers?

  • I'm trying to discern between essential and good.

  • It helps us discern relationships, patterns, and outliers.

  • The philosopher's role is to discern the leading ideas that each mode postulates.

    Academic text (1991)
  • As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I could discern the outlines of Chris's face.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • With a keen eye, she was able to discern the subtle differences between the two paintings.

Synonyms

to recognize
vsto discern
  • US
1.4

To see or hear someone and know who they are

emphasizes careful sensing when identification is difficult rather than familiarity
to detect
vsto discern
763 3.2

Find something that is hard to notice

emphasizes recognizing by careful sense use rather than only finding existence
to sense
vsto discern
629 4.2

To notice something by feeling or by using a tool

focuses on careful sensory recognition when perception is difficult
to spot
vsto discern
576 2.1

To notice someone or something, especially when it is hard

requires careful sensory recognition rather than quick casual noticing
to distinguish
vsto discern
177 3.1

To notice differences between things or people

focuses on detecting or recognizing presence rather than comparing differences
to pick up on
vsto discern
142 3.9

To notice something that is not obvious

relies on careful sensory detection rather than general subtle understanding
to make out
vsto discern
109 4.6

To see, hear, or understand something when it is hard

focuses on careful detection or recognition when sensing is hard
to perceive
vsto discern
83 3.7

To notice something with your senses, especially sight or hearing

is about careful sensing under difficulty rather than general awareness
to pick out
vsto discern
64 3.0

Notice a sound or sight among other things

uses careful sensing to identify rather than only choosing among many
to tell apart
vsto discern
41 3.0

To notice a difference between two similar things

is about careful sensory recognition of something rather than marking differences
to sniff out
vsto discern
  • Informal
15 4.0

Find something by searching, often by smell

focuses on careful sensing with any sense rather than mainly smell or search
to scent out
vsto discern
5.6

To find something by smell or by careful searching

uses careful sensing across senses not only smell-based discovery

Antonyms

1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

243 2.9

To not notice someone or something you should see

How Detectable

to identify
1.8
to recognize
  • US
1.4
to perceive
369 3.0
to notice
1.0
to discern
70 5.8
to detect
763 3.2

Surface Forms

discern infinitive
discerned past
discerned past participle
discerning present participle
discerns third person singular

Etymology

Discern comes from the Latin parts dis- meaning 'apart' and cernere meaning 'to sift' or 'separate'. Picture someone slowly sifting through fog or a pile of small things to find one item — that's why to discern something is to pick it out or notice it carefully when it is hard to see.