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
Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Despite being sought after by the world’s most discerning collectors, Rexhepi exudes humility.
—Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 16 Dec. 2024
Tracy Brower, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
Meanwhile, The Break treats discerning 11- to 15-year-olds to their own hangout spot and amenities, including a virtual reality gaming system, recording booth, retro soda machine, and candy wall.
—Gina Kramer, USA TODAY, 28 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for discerning
Adjective
Designed to surpass the expectations of the most discerning clientele, each elegant tent provides breathtaking views of the surrounding wilderness from private decks with either outdoor showers or wooden hot tubs.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Despite being sought after by the world’s most discerning collectors, Rexhepi exudes humility.
—Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
For phone or video interviews, plan on meeting with people who are well prepared and discerning in assessing you as a potential candidate.
—Tracy Brower, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
Meanwhile, The Break treats discerning 11- to 15-year-olds to their own hangout spot and amenities, including a virtual reality gaming system, recording booth, retro soda machine, and candy wall.
—Gina Kramer, USA TODAY, 28 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for discerning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discerning
Adjective
-
The Camino is wise; its lessons come slowly, mile by mile, day by day.—
Daniela Diaz,
Vogue,
8 Mar. 2025
-
Even if the snow continuously falls, removing it before more than four inches accumulates is wise, as large amounts of snow are significantly more difficult to remove.—
Kamron Sanders,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
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With this approach, grocers can display all store items online, differentiating between those immediately available and those available at a future date.—
Devadas Pattathil,
Forbes,
19 Dec. 2024
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Many of these startups position themselves as AI search engines centered on scholarly research—each with differentiating product features and target audiences.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Retirees don’t have as much time to recover their losses, so accumulating precious metals like gold and silver can be a prudent move.—
Marc Guberti,
Sacramento Bee,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Indeed, its tonal balance feels of a piece with the playwright’s personality—erudition and prudent attention to identity and representation leavened with irreverent nods to his throat chakra, The Artist’s Way, and teen soaps on The WB.—
Marley Marius,
Vogue,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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This involves distinguishing between the data plane, where information is transferred, and the control plane, which governs processes without directly handling the data itself.—
Taylor Brown,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
-
Researchers say that their discovery has helped tremendously in distinguishing the theropods of this region, which were poorly known before.—
Jack Knudson,
Discover Magazine,
1 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
That's brilliantly insightful, because most mathematics is developed in a vacuum.—
Jake Kring-Schreifels,
TIME,
5 Mar. 2025
-
In fact, people of African origin have the greatest genetic diversity amongst all groups of people, making results from investigating the cancer biology in Black American patients immensely biologically insightful.—
Angelique Richardson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In particular, health districts and hospitals are seeing more flu and pertussis, known as whooping cough.—
Carolyn Komatsoulis,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Jan. 2025
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The games have been about playing spoiler in the NFC playoff picture and seeing what on this 2024 roster is transferrable to the future.—
Saad Yousuf,
The Athletic,
5 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The organization has challenged over 100 scholarships and programs discriminating against White and Asian students at universities across the country.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
Fox News,
22 Dec. 2024
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Winning Tom Hanks the first of his two consecutive Oscars, Philadelphia traces the story of Andrew Beckett, an accomplished attorney who gets wrongfully terminated from his job, and sues his former employers for discriminating against him as a gay man with AIDS.—
Tomris Laffly,
TIME,
20 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Operations in Egypt are only just recovering from a production slump, and uncertainty remains regarding the start of production for its Suriname project.—
Ariel Cohen,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
-
Look to the furore regarding Burger King’s 2024 ‘Foodfilment’ campaign showing real and non-staged British mothers tucking into a dirty burger immediately post-partum as a key marketing example.—
Katie Baron,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Discerning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discerning. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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