1
as in excellence
exceptionally high quality
a shop selling native handicrafts of distinction
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in advantage
a quality that gives something special worth
has the distinction of being the oldest house in the city
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in accolade
public acknowledgment or admiration for an achievement
I did all of the work, and the other guy got all the distinction
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in dominance
the fact or state of being above others in rank or importance
a number of physicians of national distinction serve on the staff of the teaching hospital
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in award
something given in recognition of achievement
won a number of distinctions in her long career as an actress
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in difference
the quality or state of being different
the distinction between the two photographic prints escapes me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in separation
the state of being kept distinct
the distinction between liberty and license is often violated in today's freewheeling society
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distinction
The Latin Music Educator Award is a new distinction, in partnership with the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation, that recognizes one exceptional educator from the global music community who is making a significant impact by incorporating Latin music into their curriculum.
—
Thania Garcia, Variety, 7 Aug. 2025
The song is credited to Zegler, the performer, and Webber, which is unusual, as composers don’t often earn that kind of distinction.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
TikTok aesthetics have blurred the lines of age distinctions, life milestones are being skipped over entirely, and a retail landscape that funnels everyone, regardless of age, into the same handful of stores has finished the job.
—Essence, 4 Aug. 2025
This distinction suggests some sort of compatibility issue.
—PC Magazine, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for distinction
Thania Garcia, Variety, 7 Aug. 2025
The song is credited to Zegler, the performer, and Webber, which is unusual, as composers don’t often earn that kind of distinction.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
TikTok aesthetics have blurred the lines of age distinctions, life milestones are being skipped over entirely, and a retail landscape that funnels everyone, regardless of age, into the same handful of stores has finished the job.
—Essence, 4 Aug. 2025
This distinction suggests some sort of compatibility issue.
—PC Magazine, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for distinction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinction
Noun
-
Just like in Formula One, great product teams know how to assemble excellence from across an ecosystem and focus their in-house muscle on what really moves the needle.—
Sal Rehmetullah,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Luke and his unit were honored with a challenge coin symbolizing leadership, excellence and service.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Do rules reflect actual AI usage patterns among teens? Equity Access: Can all students access the same AI tools, or do policies create advantages for families with premium subscriptions?—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025
-
Taking the extra base, even with the ball hit in front of him, helped double Colorado’s advantage.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
In 1896, Huestis’s career took off as her commercial illustrations began appearing in prominent magazines and, along with her colleague Ami Mali Hicks, winning accolades.—
Anne Halsey,
JSTOR Daily,
6 Aug. 2025
-
A lot of times these kinds of accomplishments and accolades are hard to process in the moment, because everything has been happening so fast.—
Frank DiGiacomo,
Billboard,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Paranoia is pure American, older than the Constitution—the northern states, for instance, denounced the three-fifths compromise as a Southern play for dominance.—
Book Marks
August 14,
Literary Hub,
14 Aug. 2025
-
In the open era, age records have gone down slightly, but still show player dominance past traditional peak years.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The Brewer position player group just might, however, feature an award winner this season, as Isaac Collins is emerging as a dark horse contender for Rookie of the Year honors.—
Tony Blengino,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
-
Organisations parented by his vision host serious literary gatherings, confer prestigious awards, build encyclopaedic information on Tamil literature, art and culture, and impart literary, cultural and philosophical education to hundreds of curious minds.—
Priyamvada Ramkumar
August 18,
Literary Hub,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The trust fund used to make up the difference between what workers are paying in and what Social Security pays out in benefits is projected to run out of money in nine years.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Aug. 2025
-
The Tree Napper is just like the Cotton Napper, with one distinct difference: Instead of cotton fabric, the Tree Napper is made with Tencel lyocell, a silky soft material made of eucalyptus fibers that’s both sleep- and environment-friendly.—
Kristi Kellogg,
Architectural Digest,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Each bra offers seamless lift and separation, that supports like an underwire bra, yet feels weightless on your body.—
Angelina Villa-Clarke,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
-
Still, pediatricians persist – some after witnessing the consequences of family separation firsthand.—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN Money,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Education was considered an individual pursuit marked by moral excellency and only the students who did the best in school would have proceeded to higher education.—
Sara Novak,
Discover Magazine,
12 Nov. 2024
-
Education was considered an individual pursuit marked by moral excellency and only the students who did the best in school would have proceeded to higher education.—
Sara Novak,
Discover Magazine,
12 Nov. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Distinction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinction. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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