Synonyms for discerning
dɪˈsɜr nɪŋ, -ˈzɜr-dis·cern·ing

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. discerning

   Acute, from the Latin, suggests the sharpness of the needle's point; keen, from the Saxon, the sharpness of the cutting edge. Astute, from the Latin, with the original sense of cunning has come to have a meaning that combines the sense of acute or keen with that of sagacious. The astute mind adds to acuteness and keenness an element of cunning or finesse. The astute debater leads his opponents into a snare by getting them to make admissions, or urge arguments, of which he sees a result that they do not perceive. The acute, keen intellect may take no special advantage of these qualities; the astute mind has always a point to make for itself, and seldom fails to make it. A knowing look, air, etc., in general indicates practical knowledge with a touch of shrewdness, and perhaps of cunning; in regard to some special matter, it indicates the possession of reserved knowledge which the person could impart if he chose. Knowing has often a slightly invidious sense. We speak of a knowing rascal, meaning cunning or shrewd within a narrow range, but of a knowing horse or dog, in the sense of sagacious, implying that he knows more than could be expected of such an animal. A knowing child has more knowledge than would be looked for at his years, perhaps more than is quite desirable, while to speak of a child as intelligent is altogether complimentary.

   Synonyms:
   acute, astute, clear-sighted, crafty, cunning, discriminating, keen, knowing, penetrating, penetrative, perspicacious, sagacious, sharp, shrewd, subtile, subtle

   Antonyms:
   blind, dull, idiotic, imbecile, shallow, short-sighted, stolid, stupid, undiscerning, unintelligent

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:5.0 / 1 vote

1. discerningadjective

   having or revealing keen insight and good judgment

   "a discerning critic"; "a discerning reader"

   Synonyms:
   discreet, apprehensive

   Antonyms:
   obtuse, unperceiving, purblind, undiscriminating, unperceptive, untactful, uncomprehending, undiscerning, indiscriminating, tactless

2. discerning, discreetadjective

   unobtrusively perceptive and sympathetic

   "a discerning editor"; "a discreet silence"

   Synonyms:
   discreet, apprehensive, circumspect

   Antonyms:
   indiscriminating, untactful, tactless, uncomprehending, undiscriminating, purblind, unperceiving, obtuse, undiscerning, unperceptive

3. apprehensive, discerningadjective

   quick to understand

   "a kind and apprehensive friend"- Nathaniel Hawthorne

   Synonyms:
   discreet, worried, apprehensive

   Antonyms:
   undiscriminating, indiscriminating, undiscerning, unperceiving, untactful, purblind, tactless, uncomprehending, unperceptive, obtuse

4. discerningadjective

   able to make or detect effects of great subtlety; sensitive

   "discerning taste"; "a discerning eye for color"

   Synonyms:
   discreet, apprehensive

   Antonyms:
   purblind, unperceiving, undiscriminating, undiscerning, indiscriminating, uncomprehending, tactless, unperceptive, obtuse, untactful

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. discerningadjective

   Synonyms:
   discriminating, knowing, sagacious, perspicacious, judicious, acute, intelligent, ingenious, clear-headed, clear-sighted, keen-sighted, quick-sighted, eagle-eyed, hawk-eyed, argus-eyed

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. discerningadjective

   Synonyms:
   acute, sharp-sighted, shrewd

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "discerning":

   insightful, judicious, astute, demanding, perceptive

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How to use discerning in a sentence?

1. Peter Flaherty:

   Everything in Uzbekistan is political, so I wouldn’t put a lot of faith in the criminal justice system, but it seems like the Clintons still are not very discerning about who they associate with.

2. Laozi:

   He who knows other men is discerning; he who knows himself is intelligent...

3. Benjamin W. Decker:

   In Matthew 7:20 (KJV), we are taught a profound secret for discerning of the Spirit: Where-fore by their fruits ye shall know them. This means that we look to the health of the part (the fruit) to gauge the health of the whole. A healthy tree will bear good fruit; an unhealthy tree will bear low-quality fruit.

4. Sanita Belgrave:

   When discerning the authenticity of someone’s character, listen to everything they aren’t saying.

5. Chief Financial Officer Jon Moeller:

   In many ways we looked at China little bit too much as a developing market, as opposed to the most discerning consumers in the world.