discern

• "The fleeing convicts were picked out of the darkness by the watchful prison guards"
• "I can't make out the faces in this photograph"

Synonyms

• spotcatch sight of ; detect with the senses; mar or impair with a flaw; make a spot or mark onto; become spotted; mark with a spot or spots so as to allow easy recognition; a point located with respect to surface features of some region; a short section or illustration (as between radio or tv programs or in a magazine) that is often used for advertising ; an outstanding characteristic; a blemish made by dirt; a small contrasting part of something; a section of an entertainment that is assigned to a specific performer or performance; a business establishment for entertainment; a job in an organization; a slight attack of illness; a small piece or quantity of something; a mark on a die or on a playing card (shape depending on the suit) ; a lamp that produces a strong beam of light to illuminate a restricted area; a playing card with a specified number of pips on it to indicate its value; an act that brings discredit to the person who does it
• recognizeaccept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority; be fully aware or cognizant of ; detect with the senses; perceive to be the same ; grant credentials to; express greetings upon meeting someone ; express obligation, thanks, or gratitude for; exhibit recognition for (an antigen or a substrate) ; show approval or appreciation of
• recogniseshow approval or appreciation of; grant credentials to; detect with the senses; express greetings upon meeting someone ; express obligation, thanks, or gratitude for; be fully aware or cognizant of ; perceive to be the same ; accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority
• distinguishmark as different; detect with the senses; be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait; make conspicuous or noteworthy ; identify as in botany or biology, for example
• pick outpick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives; detect with the senses
• make outdetect with the senses; make out and issue; comprehend; proceed or get along; succeed in doing, achieving, or producing (something) with the limited or inadequate means available; have sexual intercourse with; kiss, embrace, or fondle with sexual passion; write all the required information onto a form; imply or suggest; try to establish
• tell apartdetect with the senses; mark as different