1
as in length
the space or amount of space between two points, lines, surfaces, or objects
the distance between the earth and the sun is about 93 million miles
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in expanse
a wide space or area
a region marked by great, featureless distances
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in difference
the quality or state of being different
the brothers' personalities are like the distance between night and day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in to throw away
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of distance
Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2025
The forward has shot 39.3 percent from beyond the 3-point line this year, giving Cleveland another potential marksman from distance.
—Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2025
Many left-leaning California consumers, who were once loyal to Tesla, appear to have distanced themselves because of CEO Elon Musk’s controversial public persona and alliance with Trump.
—Calmatters, Orange County Register, 6 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for distance 
Noun
Ed Kelce is already in New Orleans, seen eating breakfast on Canal Street, a short distance from the Chiefs hotel.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2025
The forward has shot 39.3 percent from beyond the 3-point line this year, giving Cleveland another potential marksman from distance.
—Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
Verb
Taylor Swift is reportedly distancing herself from bestie Blake Lively after being referenced in Justin Baldoni’s $400 million lawsuit against the actress.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2025
Many left-leaning California consumers, who were once loyal to Tesla, appear to have distanced themselves because of CEO Elon Musk’s controversial public persona and alliance with Trump.
—Calmatters, Orange County Register, 6 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for distance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distance
Noun
-
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.—
Mansee Khurana,
NPR,
17 Feb. 2025
-
The Pollux-Mars and Castor-Mars sides of the Triangle measure about 7 degrees in length, while the Pollux-Castor side is about 4.5 degrees long.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
17 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The lasting scars on the Gaza landscape are plain to see in the more than 360,000 structures − homes, schools, hospitals, mosques and other buildings − that lie in a vast expanse of toxic rubble.—
Stephen J. Beard,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
-
This meant large expanses of glass that foster easy indoor-outdoor living and innovative (and sometimes flamboyant) roof designs.—
Emma Reynolds,
Robb Report,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Per capita caps would likely result in less money for states, forcing them to make up the difference by raising taxes or cutting spending elsewhere.—
Victoria Knight,
Axios,
15 Feb. 2025
-
The main difference between physical hunger and emotional eating is that emotional eating starts in the brain and includes sudden onset feelings of anxiety or sadness, specific cravings, not feeling satisfied even when full, and feelings of guilt after eating.—
Allison Futterman,
Discover Magazine,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
With their press broken, Newcastle had to retreat to their 5-4-1 shape but became fatigued making so many recovery runs.—
Liam Tharme,
The Athletic,
16 Feb. 2025
-
The initiative follows widespread backlash against major retailers and corporations accused of retreating from DEI commitments after the Trump administration took steps to dismantle federal DEI programs.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
That totals more than $425,000 of public money thrown away for nothing – although this amount is incomplete according to a district spokesperson who said at the time that more invoices were expected.—
Marsha Sutton,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Feb. 2025
-
The 4 Nations Face-Off began on Wednesday when Canada threw away a two-goal lead in regulation but came back to snatch a 4-3 overtime victory against Sweden thanks to a winner from Mitch Marner.—
Jamie Barton,
CNN,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Mature height is from 1 to 3 feet with a width of 2 to 3 feet.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
12 Feb. 2025
-
If the borders are equal in width, the card could be worth as much as 30-to-50 percent more than an average card in the grade.—
Michael Salfino,
The Athletic,
12 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
L'Agence said this was meant to represent the company's international expansion.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA TODAY,
15 Feb. 2025
-
His firm designed the Marine Mammal Pavilion, a large and colorful expansion to the National Aquarium in Baltimore.—
Jacques Kelly,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Mitch McConnell, the long-standing Senate majority leader who’s in recent months receded from view.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
16 Feb. 2025
-
According to the river forecast center, water levels should recede below minor flooding levels on Thursday afternoon before briefly hitting around 19 feet on Saturday and lowering again.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacramento Bee,
13 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near distance
Cite this Entry
“Distance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distance. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share