discernment
/di'sə:nmənt/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- The ability to judge well: The quality of being able to make good judgments and decisions, especially in a careful and objective way.
- The faculty of discerning; discrimination: The mental ability to perceive and understand subtle differences, distinctions, or aesthetic qualities.
- Insight or understanding: The cognitive condition of having deep perception or comprehension, particularly of things that are not obvious.
Usage and Examples
- General Use:
- Her discernment in choosing investments saved the company from significant losses. (This shows her ability to judge wisely.)
- The art critic was known for his keen discernment between authentic works and forgeries. (This highlights the ability to perceive subtle differences.)
- Describing a Personal Quality:
- He is a leader of great discernment, always seeing the core of a problem. (This uses the word to describe a person's characteristic insight.)
- The job requires discernment to handle complex client negotiations. (This shows the word used as a required skill.)
Advanced Usage and Nuances
- "A man/woman of discernment": A phrase used to describe a person known for their excellent judgment and taste.
- She is a woman of discernment, so her recommendation carries great weight.
- "Lack of discernment": Used to criticize an absence of good judgment or the inability to distinguish quality.
- The poor design choices revealed a complete lack of discernment.
Variants and Related Words
- Discern (verb): To perceive or recognize something, especially something that is not obvious.
- It was hard to discern his true intentions from his letter.
- Discerning (adjective): Having or showing good judgment or insight.
- The store caters to a discerning clientele.
- Discernible (adjective): Able to be seen or understood; perceptible.
- There was no discernible difference between the two samples.
Synonyms
- Judgment: The ability to make considered decisions.
- Discrimination: The ability to recognize and understand the difference between things.
- Acumen: The ability to make good judgments and quick decisions.
- Insight: The capacity to gain an accurate and deep understanding.
- Perspicacity: The quality of having a ready insight into things.
Antonyms
- Indiscrimination: Lack of discrimination or careful judgment.
- Obliviousness: The state of being unaware or unconscious of what is happening.
- Ignorance: Lack of knowledge or information.
Noun
- the trait of judging wisely and objectively
- a man of discernment
- the mental ability to understand and discriminate between relations
- perception of that which is obscure
- delicate discrimination (especially of aesthetic values)
- arrogance and lack of taste contributed to his rapid success
- to ask at that particular time was the ultimate in bad taste
- the cognitive condition of someone who understands
- he has virtually no understanding of social cause and effect