Descry

Pro Tip 1/3

Distant Spotting

Used when something is recognized at a far distance, not up close.

Standing on the cliff, I could just descry the ship on the horizon.

Pro Tip 2/3

Visual Discovery

Implies putting effort into spotting something rather than seeing it casually.

She squinted to descry the mountain peak through the fog.

Pro Tip 3/3

Literary Flair

Often found in literature to evoke a sense of observation and discovery.

The novel began as the hero descried a strange vessel approaching.