discernment

[ dih-surn-muhnt, -zurn- ]

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noun

the faculty of discerning; discrimination; acuteness of judgment and understanding.
the act or an instance of discerning.

Origin of discernment

First recorded in 1580–90; from Middle French discernement, equivalent to discern(er) “to separate” (see discern ) + -ment -ment

Other words for discernment

1	judgment, perspicacity, penetration, insight

See synonyms for discernment on Thesaurus.com

Other words from discernment

non·dis·cern·ment, noun
pre·dis·cern·ment, noun
self-dis·cern·ment, noun

Words Nearby discernment

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use discernment in a sentence

discernment is all about understanding the nature of your own desire so that you can actually be happy.
How Can We Break Our Addiction to Contempt? (Ep. 478) | Stephen J. Dubner | October 14, 2021 | Freakonomics
discernment and taste could be an aspect of why one chooses one brand over the other, the way drinkers interact with beer or wine.
The Hard Seltzer Trend Isn’t Stopping Any Time Soon | Jaya Saxena | March 19, 2021 | Eater
It’s important to recognize that none of the people on Goodell’s staff had any special experience or magical discernment.
The NFL’s pandemic response was a striking success — and a genuine public service | Sally Jenkins | February 10, 2021 | Washington Post
Since men were given the roles of politician and war-maker, it was equally convenient to believe that biology predisposed them to discernment and bravery.
Gender Is What You Make of It - Issue 88: Love & Sex | Charles King | August 5, 2020 | Nautilus
But his essays show a man struggling to figure out the complexities of discernment and judgment.
David Foster Wallace, Traditionalist? Considering ‘Both Flesh and Not: Essays’ | David Masciotra | November 2, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST

His patience, discernment, and intelligence are much admired.
Many 2008 Conservative Obama Backers, or ObamaCons, Will Stay True | John Avlon | September 4, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
I felt I was in the presence of a strong, natural man, gifted with great discernment and ability but full also of human kindness.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland | Joseph Tatlow
It is the implication that there is a spiritual discernment which is distinct from mental discernment.
God and my Neighbour | Robert Blatchford
When a man talks about "spiritual discernment," he makes a tacit assertion which ought not to be allowed to pass unchallenged.
God and my Neighbour | Robert Blatchford
The faculty of reason, then, has excelled this boasted faculty of spiritual discernment in its own religious sphere.
God and my Neighbour | Robert Blatchford
It may be an idle fancy, but if that string is not a woven strand from some womans crowning glory, then I have no discernment.
The Fifth String | John Philip Sousa

British Dictionary definitions for discernment

discernment

/ (dɪˈsɜːnmənt) /

noun

keen perception or judgment

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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