Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective distinctive contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of distinctive are characteristic, individual, and peculiar. While all these words mean "indicating a special quality or identity," distinctive indicates qualities distinguishing and uncommon and often superior or praiseworthy.

a distinctive aura of grace and elegance

When could characteristic be used to replace distinctive?

The meanings of characteristic and distinctive largely overlap; however, characteristic applies to something that distinguishes or identifies a person or thing or class.

responded with her characteristic wit

When might individual be a better fit than distinctive?

The words individual and distinctive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, individual stresses qualities that distinguish one from all other members of the same kind or class.

a highly individual writing style

When is it sensible to use peculiar instead of distinctive?

While in some cases nearly identical to distinctive, peculiar applies to qualities possessed only by a particular individual or class or kind and stresses rarity or uniqueness.

an eccentricity that is peculiar to the British

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 distinctive The facade’s most distinctive element is a series of diagonal metal scrims across its face. Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2025 Industry heavyweights Christian Siriano, Christopher John Rodgers and Brandon Maxwell reminded everyone why the city’s fashion scene remains unmatched, each collection pushing boundaries while staying true to their distinctive aesthetics. Stixx Mathews, Essence, 7 Feb. 2025 The research revealed not only how this system is altered by the disease, but also found distinctive breathing patterns in affected individuals. Michael Franco, New Atlas, 3 Feb. 2025 Librarian-Chic This quintessential California coastal town is famous not only for its rocky coves and miles-long beaches, but also for its distinctive downtown art scene. Katie Kiefner, Vogue, 1 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for distinctive 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinctive
Adjective
  • For another, the two telescopes’ image resolutions are very different.
    Jeffrey Kluger/Greenbelt, TIME, 8 Feb. 2025
  • This is drastically different from other sports leagues, such as Major League Baseball, where sponsorship contributes a smaller portion of total revenue.
    Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The current agreement is set up to progress in three distinct phases, the first of which is already halfway through.
    Lauren Kent, CNN, 11 Feb. 2025
  • The fragments of two distinct bronze neck rings, thought to belong to a chieftain, were also identified.
    Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • For the Gladney family, the Chaska community has always been a close-knot, quiet, safe and diverse community, with grocery stores, libraries and a hospital all near by.
    Graham P. Johnson, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
  • Many in Ballinger’s hospital — which serves a high immigrant population in one of the most diverse regions in the U.S. — have worried about threats of raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The brain shape revealed by the new fossil, which researchers scanned using computerized tomography to create a three-dimensional reconstruction, was also characteristic of modernbirds, according to the study.
    Katie Hunt, CNN, 5 Feb. 2025
  • With his characteristic affability barely concealing cutting commentary, Mulaney then praised Netflix for believing in his show.
    Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Smith’s papers were typical of the time – filled with national news and short anecdotes that had little to do with local happenings.
    Kay Johnson, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
  • In Northern Virginia, home to tens of thousands of workers on the federal payroll and military service members, the typical town-hall meeting in the town of Leesburg attracts a few dozen people.
    Simon Shuster, TIME, 7 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near distinctive

Cite this Entry

“Distinctive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinctive. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on distinctive

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