Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A couple of folks told me how selfish I'd been — not terribly helpful, especially as I couldn't have discerned what was selfish at the time.

From Salon • May 27, 2023

I love them, which the careful reader might have discerned from my general tone.

From Washington Post • Feb. 19, 2023

Alfred knew this, because just to one side of it, caught under a grass-blade so cunningly that only the little scout’s eyes could have discerned it at all, was a single blue bead.

From Slate • Nov. 25, 2018

The score was 2-0, and even a hockey novice could have discerned from the proceedings or the first-period stat sheet — 27 shot attempts, 15 on goal, for Pittsburgh — the Penguins’ dominance.

From New York Times • May 30, 2016

Their beaks, claws, and plumage were so distinct that only a trained eye could have discerned the unity lurking beneath.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee