discern
dih-SURNverbMeaning to notice or tell apart, often with effort
Memory hook DIS-CERN: is it DIS one?. Two gems look exactly alike, but Ada’s sharp eye can tell that this one is real and that one is glass. To discern is to tell things apart.
In the fog, Dad could barely discern the outline of the barn.
In context The twins look alike to strangers, but their friends can easily discern which is which: Mia always tilts her head when she listens.
Similar distinguish, detect, make out, tell apart
Opposite overlook, confuse
From Latin discernere, “to separate, tell apart”: dis (apart) + cernere (to sift).