discernment

[ dih-surn-muhnt, -zurn- ]
See synonyms for discernment on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. the faculty of discerning; discrimination; acuteness of judgment and understanding.

  2. the act or an instance of discerning.

Origin of discernment

1
First recorded in 1580–90; from Middle French discernement, equivalent to discern(er) “to separate” (see discern ) + -ment -ment

Other words for discernment

Other words from discernment

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use discernment in a sentence

  • Broaden our compassions and make them more delicate in their discernments.

    The Whole Armour of God | John Henry Jowett
  • Refine our discernments in order that we may behold them; and deepen our hearts in order that we may long to possess them.

    The Whole Armour of God | John Henry Jowett
  • Its discernments are made in the light of all the truth which in any way illuminates the understanding.

    Theoretical Ethics | Milton Valentine
  • The appetites and passions obscure the moral discernments and resist the moral judgments.

    Theoretical Ethics | Milton Valentine
  • The most precious discernments into things are the latest discovered: the most precious discernments, however, are the methods.

British Dictionary definitions for discernment

discernment

/ (dɪˈsɜːnmənt) /


noun
  1. 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