noun

• 1The ability to judge well.

  ‘an astonishing lack of discernment’

  More example sentences

  • ‘They possess capacities for discernment and the ability to decide what is in their best interest.’
  • ‘We might have been adolescent girls, but we were also intelligent young women with discernment and judgement.’
  • ‘In other words, dawning the robes of a preacher didn't imbue you with wisdom, intelligence and discernment.’
  • ‘Despite his ability for discernment and honesty, you still come away thinking he is stuck in a life of cliched fixations.’
  • ‘I yet lack discernment to distinguish the whole lesson of today; but it is not lost, - it will come to me at last.’
  • ‘It could even be lack of discernment on the part of the reviewer.’
  • ‘He was planning to rely on their lack of discernment, wasn't he?’
  • ‘What is within a chef's grasp, however, is the ability to maximize the essence of his or her dish by developing a refined sense of discernment when choosing ingredients.’
  • ‘Drugs will almost certainly be developed that will enhance the training of the mind to increase specific types of sensitivity and discernment of sensory signals.’
  • ‘The complete article shows quite clearly how the reporter resented being treated as if she had no discernment nor common sense.’
  • ‘It is up to us to cultivate discernment, and distinguish between that which is essential, and that which is simply the contingent effect of social and cultural mores.’
  • ‘But try to drink with a little taste and discernment.’
  • ‘But I need to plead with you to handle this crisis with wisdom and discernment.’
  • ‘The hotel is much favoured by people of taste and discernment.’
  • ‘‘We appeal to you to guard against excessive indulgence and lack of discernment in behavioural patterns,’ he said.’
  • ‘The ability to pick out one's adult friend from a group photograph taken in his youth seems an unremarkable task and yet requires remarkable powers of discernment.’
  • ‘His eyes were focused with discernment and awareness.’
  • ‘Fortunately, computers that completely replicate human taste, discernment, and creativity have yet to be developed.’
  • ‘Invariably, they pay tribute to his powers of discernment.’
  • ‘His prediction was impeccable though, and his discernment true.’

  Synonyms

  judgement, taste, discrimination, refinement, cultivation, sophistication, enlightenment, sensitivity, subtlety

  View synonyms
• 2(in Christian contexts) perception in the absence of judgment with a view to obtaining spiritual guidance and understanding.

  ‘without providing for a time of healing and discernment, there will be no hope of living through this present moment without a shattering of our common life’

  More example sentences

  • ‘Other congregations enter this circle of grace through other Christian practices: discernment, testimony, healing, or peacemaking.’
  • ‘Or they may represent a mixture of historical recollection and spiritual discernment, as in many of the stories of the Bible.’
  • ‘By the time of his death, he would push questions of spiritual discernment perhaps further than any other contemporary saint.’
  • ‘We need more experiments in Christian discernment like this one.’
  • ‘As a teenager, I switched to an evangelical congregation because it paid more attention to spiritual practices of prayer, discernment, Bible study, and worship.’