Descry — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /di-ˈskrī/ de·scry

Meaning & Definition of Descry

Descry (verb)

  1. to catch sight of
  2. find out, discover
  3. to make known, reveal

Descry (noun)

  1. discovery or view from afar

Descry (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to come upon after searching, study, or effort

    "we couldn't descry the reasons for his sudden departure"

    similar: ascertain, detect, determine, dig out, dig up, discover, dredge (up), ferret (out), find, find out, get, hit (on or upon), hunt (down or up), learn, locate, nose out, root (out), rout (out), rummage, run down, scare up, scout (up), track (down), turn up
    related: espy, sight, spot, look for, search (for or out), seek
    opposite: miss, overlook, pass over
    near: lose, mislay, misplace, misset

  2. to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes

    "could just descry the ship coming over the horizon"

    similar: behold, catch, discern, distinguish, espy, eye, look (at), note, notice, observe, perceive, regard, remark, see, sight, spot, spy, view, witness, get a load of (slang), lay eyes on, set eyes on
    related: identify, make out, pick out, pick up, attend (to), consider, heed, mark, mind, study, watch, examine, inspect, scan, scrutinize, survey, glance (at), glimpse, peer (at)
    near: disregard, ignore, neglect, overpass, pass over, miss, overlook

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Descry

The most common words with a similar meaning to Descry:

Slang: get a load of
ascertain, detect, determine, dig out, dig up, discover, dredge (up), ferret (out), find, find out, get, hit (on or upon), hunt (down or up), learn, locate, nose out, root (out), rout (out), rummage, run down, scare up, scout (up), track (down), turn up, behold, catch, discern, distinguish, espy, eye, look (at), note, notice, observe, perceive, regard, remark, see, sight, spot

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Descry

Words with the opposite meaning of Descry:

miss, overlook, pass over

Related Words for Descry

look for, search (for or out), seek, identify, make out, pick out, pick up, attend (to), consider, heed, mark, mind, study, watch, examine, inspect, scan, scrutinize, survey, glance (at), glimpse, peer (at)

Near Antonyms of Descry

lose, mislay, misplace, misset, disregard, ignore, neglect, overpass

Word Forms of Descry

Inflections: descried, descrying

Origin & Etymology of Descry

in sense 1 Middle English descrien, descriven, descreven "to catch sight of, discover, discern," apparently developed from descriven (rarely descrien) "to describe, recount, characterize," borrowed from Anglo-French descrire, descriver, descrier "to describe, give an account of," going back to Latin dēscrībere "to represent by drawing, describe"; in sense 2 Middle English descrien "to announce, make known, reveal, betray," perhaps borrowed from Middle French descrier "to cry, make known," from des- de- + crier "to cry:1"

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Descry

Frequently Asked Questions about Descry

What does "Descry" mean?

"Descry" means to catch sight of. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to catch sight of. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Descry"?

Other words for "Descry" include ascertain, detect, determine, dig out, dig up, discover, dredge (up) and ferret (out). The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Descry" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Descry"?

There are 68 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Descry". Common alternatives include ascertain, detect, determine, dig out, dig up, discover, dredge (up), ferret (out), find and find out.

What is the opposite of "Descry"?

Antonyms of "Descry" include miss, overlook and pass over. Near antonyms include lose, mislay, misplace and misset.

How do you use "Descry" in a sentence?

Examples of "Descry" in a sentence: "we couldn't descry the reasons for his sudden departure"; "could just descry the ship coming over the horizon".

Is "Descry" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Descry" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Descry" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Descry" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Descry"?

"Descry" is pronounced /di-ˈskrī/ and divided into syllables as de·scry.