Discern and Identify

Discern

Discern verb - To make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes.
Usage example: barely able to discern the garden gate through the mist

Identify is a synonym for discern. In some cases you can use "Identify" instead a verb "Discern".

Identify

Identify verb - To find out or establish the identity of.

Discern is a synonym for identify in recognize topic. You can use "Discern" instead a verb "Identify", if it concerns topics such as determine.

Common collocations

friend discern friend identify friend
thanks discern thanks identify thanks
name discern name identify name
type discern type identify type
Other words: time, species, identity, location, color, details, song, gender, emotions, vampires, members, weaknesses.

Both words in one sentence

  • He pales compared to the supernatural servants, however: Servant Archer can pick out single people in perfect detail from kilometres away, and can instantly identify and discern all details of crafted objects through a cursory glance.
Cite this Source
Identify and Discern. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/discern/identify
Discern & Identify. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/discern/identify>.
Identify or Discern. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/discern/identify.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "discern" and "identify" have occurred on timeline