discerning

[ dih-sur-ning, -zur- ]

adjective

1. showing good or outstanding judgment and understanding:

   a discerning critic of French poetry.

   Synonyms: discriminating, sharp, keen, perceptive

discerning

/ dɪˈsɜːnɪŋ /

adjective

1. having or showing good taste or judgment; discriminating

Derived Forms

• disˈcerningly, adverb

Other Words From

• dis·cerning·ly adverb
• nondis·cerning adjective
• undis·cerning adjective
• undis·cerning·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of discerning¹

First recorded in 1600–10; discern + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Surely there needs to be some kind of discerning critical judgment involved?

From The Daily Beast

What makes Islam so tricky that it trips up even the usually more discerning among us?

From The Daily Beast

At the very least, the fickle and discerning moviegoer is getting a vibrant diagnosis: healthier than ever.

From The Daily Beast

A more vexing problem is discerning the suicide attempt from the accidental overdose.

From The Daily Beast

So many good singers that you, as an audience member, find yourself starting to become discerning.

From The Daily Beast

The early recognition of pictured objects, of which certain animals have a measure, is often strikingly discerning.

From Project Gutenberg

Had she, so observant, so discerning in her fastidious taste—had she failed to notice the small detail too?

From Project Gutenberg

Discerning a dark object among the branches, he shrinks back, crosses stage, and goes out through the wood to the left.

From Project Gutenberg

After dinner, the discerning eye of the co-mother-in-law divines the work of darkness.

From Project Gutenberg

It was, she knew, a precious privilege to know a poet, and to see the natural and spiritual worlds through his discerning eyes.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• astute
• insightful
• knowledgeable
• penetrating
• perceptive
• piercing