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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of discerning
John Hall, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
That’s why more discerning buyers are setting their sights on The Village of Loch Lloyd, a hidden treasure on the southern edge of the metro.
—Loch Lloyd Residential Real Estate, Kansas City Star, 15 June 2025
Lara Devgan, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Some dogs will eat anything in front of them, while others are more discerning.
—Amelia Arvesen, Outside Online, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discerning
Adjective
As investors become more discerning, later-stage businesses can’t rely on blanket or generalist funding sources.
—John Hall, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
That’s why more discerning buyers are setting their sights on The Village of Loch Lloyd, a hidden treasure on the southern edge of the metro.
—Loch Lloyd Residential Real Estate, Kansas City Star, 15 June 2025
Verb
Patients and consumers are becoming more discerning, gravitating toward those who deliver consistently superior results.
—Lara Devgan, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Some dogs will eat anything in front of them, while others are more discerning.
—Amelia Arvesen, Outside Online, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discerning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discerning
Adjective
-
That caution proved wise, as the photos of young Mohammad turned out to be highly misleading.—
Seth Mandel,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Aug. 2025
-
But for VCs like me, the wisest choice right now is to back the startups making healthcare systems more proactive, preventative, and fair – for everyone.—
Check Warner MBE,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Testers say the main differentiating factor between this and other wearables is the sleep information, and especially for women, there is the extra bonus of an accurate cycle tracker.—
Health Editorial Team,
Health,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Leaders must also work against the misunderstanding of these tools both within and outside their organizations—educating stakeholders on what these tools can and cannot do and differentiating them from the chatbots of days gone by.—
Sriram Nagaswamy,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Hope alone isn’t prudent in the pursuit of a playoff spot or division title.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Stars win, no matter how prudent the finances are with the overall roster.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The military men are more distinct, largely because they’re either played by somewhat familiar faces — including Will Poulter, as Captain Erik, the head of the initial operation — or have distinguishing features, like the mustache on Elliott (Cosmo Jarvis), the head sniper.—
Manohla Dargis,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2025
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With that in mind, Singleton emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between privacy and anonymity.—
Gene Marks,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The agenda centers on an insightful reckoning: How can the Democratic Party represent itself as the problem-solving party of the working class when its track record exhibits innumerable failures in major cities?—
Seth David Radwell,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Aug. 2025
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This is the kind of thing that Jenkins, a journalist and prolific documentarian, specialized in: connecting the dots in a way that was insightful, enlightening, fun and pure catnip for cross-pop-cultural nerds.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
29 July 2025
Verb
-
In particular, health districts and hospitals are seeing more flu and pertussis, known as whooping cough.—
Carolyn Komatsoulis,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Jan. 2025
-
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
-
Advocates say this could help tackle crime whilst critics have raised concerns about data privacy and about models potentially discriminating against certain groups.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Woodman would have to include the names, addresses, and phone numbers of the people or organizations allegedly discriminating, along with the exact dates of the events.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws regarding pay and leave.—
Tom Spiggle,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Discerning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discerning. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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