only discern

Frequency: 6.37.5 per million words

Used to emphasize the minimal extent to which something can be discerned.

discernADVERB

Categories:

only

Examples (10)

  • Through the thick fog, I could only discern the faint outline of the lighthouse.
  • From this distance, you can only discern the largest craters on the moon's surface.
  • In the dim candlelight, he could only discern the shape of a person in the corner.
  • After hours of analysis, we could only discern a vague pattern in the data.
  • Her expression was so neutral that I could only discern a hint of disappointment.
  • The ancient text is so damaged that scholars can only discern a few words per page.
  • From his convoluted explanation, I could only discern that something had gone terribly wrong.
  • Amidst the roar of the waterfall, she could only discern the faint sound of birds.
  • An expert can only discern the subtle differences between the two forgeries.
  • He spoke so softly that I could only discern his general intent, not the specific words.