discern

7 synonyms and 2 antonyms for discern, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Verb — To notice or perceive something, especially something not immediately obvious.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

see recognize spot

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

recognise behold spy distinguish

Synonyms by Meaning

1. verb

To notice or perceive something, especially something not immediately obvious.

“It was hard to discern any pattern in the data.”

recognise behold see spy distinguish recognize spot

Opposites

overlook

2. verb

To recognize the difference between two things.

“He struggled to discern fact from rumor.”

Opposites

confound

How to use discern

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

discern a pattern discern the difference

Etymology

From Middle English discernen, from Old French discerner, from Latin discernere ("to separate, distinguish"), from dis- ("apart") + cernere ("to distinguish").

Full origin of discern →

Frequently asked questions

What does “discern” mean?

The word “discern” means to notice or perceive something, especially something not immediately obvious. In plain terms, to notice or work out something subtle, or to tell two things apart.

How do you pronounce “discern”?

“Discern” is pronounced dih-SURN (/dɪˈsɝn/ in IPA).

How do you use “discern” in a sentence?

Here is “discern” used in a sentence: “It was hard to discern any pattern in the data.”

What is another word for “discern”?

Words with a similar meaning to “discern” include behold, see, spy and distinguish.

What part of speech is “discern”?

“Discern” is a verb.

Where does the word “discern” come from?

The word “discern” comes from Latin. From Middle English discernen, from Old French discerner, from Latin discernere ("to separate, distinguish"), from dis- ("apart") + cernere ("to distinguish").

Is “discern” a common word?

“Discern” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “discern” have?

“Discern” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to notice or perceive something, especially something not immediately obvious.

People also searched

see spot recognize spy distinguish recognise behold overlook confound

Nearby words

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