1
as in to differentiate
to understand or point out the difference in
even at such a young age, he could distinguish the calls of various birds
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to characterize
to be an important feature of
a collection of recipes distinguished by their ease and simplicity
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to identify
to find out or establish the identity of
learned at an early age to distinguish the sound of a piano in an orchestra
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to notice
to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes
could barely distinguish the garden gate through the mist
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to classify
to arrange or assign according to type
on the exam we were asked to distinguish the specimens by acidity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distinguish
And increasingly, emotionally immature minds are unable to distinguish fantasy, ideology and consequence from reality itself.
—
Editorial, Boston Herald, 1 June 2026
Many companies already use biometrics and passkeys to distinguish legitimate users from fraudsters.
—Sam Birchall, Fortune, 1 June 2026
Consumers without a grasp of the basics may struggle to distinguish good advice from bad.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 1 June 2026
In fact, the very term anti-Semitism was popularized by Wilhelm Marr, a German nationalist who sought to distinguish his anti-Jewish ideology from the crass bigotry of the common folk by dressing his hate up in pseudoscientific terms.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for distinguish
Editorial, Boston Herald, 1 June 2026
Many companies already use biometrics and passkeys to distinguish legitimate users from fraudsters.
—Sam Birchall, Fortune, 1 June 2026
Consumers without a grasp of the basics may struggle to distinguish good advice from bad.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 1 June 2026
In fact, the very term anti-Semitism was popularized by Wilhelm Marr, a German nationalist who sought to distinguish his anti-Jewish ideology from the crass bigotry of the common folk by dressing his hate up in pseudoscientific terms.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for distinguish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinguish
Verb
-
However, current flu tests cannot differentiate between them, and clinical treatments are identical for both.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
-
New York City’s luxury hotel market is remarkably resilient even during economic downturns, but even upscale hotels must compete and differentiate themselves.—
Irene S. Levine,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
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So much of The Last Supper involved characterizing songs, movies, music videos, paintings, and so on.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 June 2026
-
Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) have observed and characterized the initial stages of hydrogen-uranium corrosion for the first time.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Such plants are predominantly located in communities of color, with an average of 77% of the residents within a mile identifying as such, according to census data.—
Jason Henry,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
-
The suspect was identified as Olumuyiwa Akindahunsi, a 29-year-old homeless man not affiliated with the university, according to the UCLA Police Department.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Verb
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The ability to notice emotional shifts in others is a key part of developing empathy, one of the highest forms of emotional intelligence.—
Reem Raouda,
CNBC,
31 May 2026
-
Fans also noticed that the show didn’t tag any of its contestants’ Instagram handles in this year’s announcement and that comments are already restricted on the Islanders’ personal pages, leading to speculation that the show has put new social media safeguards in place to alleviate harassment.—
Angela Yang,
NBC news,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Those with motors of a certain size are legally classified as mopeds or motorcycles and cannot legally be ridden by anyone younger than age 16.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
-
Most of the people at Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Central Pennsylvania don't have a criminal record and are classified as low-security detainees, said Deluzio, who lives in Fox Chapel and represents parts of Allegheny County and all of Beaver County.—
Finch Walker,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Until the start of the seventies and especially throughout the fifties, Fiedler was discerning without being snobbish, avant-garde without being faddish.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
-
Casting his discerning eye on the pile was Ahmad Mastour, a gum trader with Afritec, a Sudanese gum-processing company.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
By greatly expanding the dimensions of his images, with their muted palettes, tight cropping, found symmetries, and laconic wit, had the maestro of the photographic epigram betrayed his subtractive aesthetic?—
James Quandt,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
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Everyone will find the easy-access power outlets and bedside controls a plus.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Montenegro and Albania are seen as the frontrunners among the Western Balkans, while Ukraine and Moldova are moving closer to opening formal membership talks.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
-
The 29-year-old checked out of the game and was seen limping back to the locker room as the first quarter came to an end.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distinguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinguish. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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