discerning
showing good judgment and keen insight
Word origin: From Latin discernere, to separate or distinguish.
Discerning in a sentence
Here are example sentences showing discerning in a sentence.
A discerning reader will notice the subtle shift in the narrator's tone.
A discerning critic can distinguish genuine innovation from mere novelty.
Using “discerning” well
Discerning describes keen judgment and the ability to perceive fine distinctions, pairing with perceptive and astute. It is a compliment, implying refined insight rather than mere intelligence.
More GRE words starting with D
to engage in something superficially or as a casual pastime
a raised platform for speakers or honored guests
to waste time or act without urgency
to make something slightly wet, or to make a feeling or reaction less strong
marked with spots or patches of color or light
to intimidate or discourage with fear or doubt
to move slowly or waste time idly
a scarcity or shortage of something
Questions about “discerning”
See these words the way the GRE tests them.
Definitions in isolation do not stick. Sit a free, full-length GRE mock and meet this vocabulary inside real text completion and sentence equivalence questions, with your score and a worked solution for every answer.