discerns

verb

present tense third-person singular of discern
1
as in notices
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 differentiates
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 understands
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

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.
Recent Examples of discerns However, her personable commanding officer Majid (Shafi al-Harthi) sees the value in her perspective when a high school student’s body turns up in the desert, and Nawal discerns clues from details which the policemen overlook, from the girl’s manicure to the embroidery on her abaya. — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 8 June 2026 Neem discerns within all of this a strange convergence, as both the far right and the far left have come to agree that the history of the United States has been defined by whiteness. — Yoni Appelbaum, The Atlantic, 8 June 2026 During a ChatGPT conversation, the AI discerns that the person is on the brink of doing something untoward. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discerns
  1. notices
  2. differentiates
  3. understands
  4. sees
  5. distinguishes
  6. knows
  7. eyes
  8. deciphers
Verb
  • Catherine notices this and kindly keeps talking with her to help keep her comfortable.
    — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Stuart goes outside and notices the front porch welcome mat is trying to communicate with him.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of notices
Verb
  • This practice introduces new points of view into the digital ecosystem, differentiates the brand, and increases the likelihood of an AI citation.
    — Gary Drenik, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • But what differentiates them from some of their peers is the unyielding pace of their live shows, all of it delivered with the grinning joy of playing rock ‘n’ roll.
    — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of differentiates
Verb
  • This response — full-hearted, full-throttle, fullalove — was a vivid example of Keeganism itself, as this corner of England knows and understands it.
    — Michael Walker, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Specialization can help set your brokerage business apart from others because clients often want an advisor who understands the details of a particular property type.
    — James Nelson, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of understands
Verb
  • Peel, who is an expert on the Mexican cattle trade, told CNN that screwworm isn’t the primary force behind high cattle prices, and sees the issue as a fig-leaf for a broader anti-free trade agenda.
    — Max Saltman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The 2017 sketch sees Matt Damon claiming to be the father of Kimmel’s child with wife Molly McNearney, and Povich was supposed to adjudicate the dispute.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of sees
Verb
  • Summary Selena Gomez's Rare Beauty distinguishes itself with a core mission centered on youth mental health.
    — Rachel Burchfield, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • This final stage most clearly distinguishes reputational due diligence from mechanical screening.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of distinguishes
Verb
  • This response — full-hearted, full-throttle, fullalove — was a vivid example of Keeganism itself, as this corner of England knows and understands it.
    — Michael Walker, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Getty Images As the President of the Penske Corporation, Bud Denker knows how to close some major business deals.
    — Bruce Martin, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of knows
Verb
  • The film will enter production this November in Vermont as production company GrizzlieBradFilms LLC eyes a 2028 debut.
    — Mya Copeland, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
  • In another, a marmot eyes the game camera, getting closer and closer to the lens.
    — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of eyes
Verb
  • Qualcomm’s chip can run Linux, along with Arduino software, and can even do computer vision, which deciphers what a camera sees and translates it into software.
    — Kif Leswing, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2025
  • With that base knowledge and his opponent’s game tape, Nolan analyzes wide receiver alignments and deciphers the offense's attack.
    — Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of deciphers

Browse Nearby Words

discernment
discerns
discharge
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Cite this Entry

“Discerns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discerns. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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