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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distinguish
Investigators say the crew distinguished itself by going to various shopping centers and hitting virtually every store there in one fell swoop.
—
Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2025
Fore one, telescopes have difficulty distinguishing the faint light from a planet from the much brighter light emitted by its host star.
—Victoria Corless, Space.com, 1 Apr. 2025
As concertmaster of both the Torrey Pines High School Orchestra, directed by Amy Gelb, and the San Diego Youth Symphony Orchestra with Artistic Director Sameer Patel, Anthony has distinguished himself through exceptional musical leadership, the news release stated.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
Israel’s offensive has killed more than 50,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its tally.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distinguish
Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2025
Fore one, telescopes have difficulty distinguishing the faint light from a planet from the much brighter light emitted by its host star.
—Victoria Corless, Space.com, 1 Apr. 2025
As concertmaster of both the Torrey Pines High School Orchestra, directed by Amy Gelb, and the San Diego Youth Symphony Orchestra with Artistic Director Sameer Patel, Anthony has distinguished himself through exceptional musical leadership, the news release stated.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
Israel’s offensive has killed more than 50,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its tally.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distinguish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinguish
Verb
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Managers shouldn't need to differentiate their employees’ performance on a 3% budget.—
Dr. Lisa Toppin,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
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Over five decades, Henry Fonda represented an American ideal whose hidden complexes differentiated him from his peers Gary Cooper, John Wayne, James Stewart, and Joel McCrea.—
Armond White,
National Review,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Cold Creek was planted in the 1970s and exists as one of the state’s oldest vineyards; its fruit is characterized by ripe fruit intensity which the winery balances by picking the grapes over a four week period to showcase varying sweetness levels for a complex palate in flavor and structure.—
Jillian Dara,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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While central New South Wales is now characterized by plains and plateaus, during the Miocene, the region was surrounded by lush rainforests, according to the study.—
Julianna Bragg,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Those individuals have been identified as Andrew Madrid, 16, Jason Gomez, 18, and Dominick Estrada, 19.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
23 Mar. 2025
-
A number of different sites locally have been identified as potential alternatives to 12,056-capacity Kenilworth Road, their famously quirky home for 120 years.—
Tom Burrows,
The Athletic,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Whether Larry Fink is driving the debate or simply reacting, the omissions in the annual letter are worth noticing.—
Jon McGowan,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
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This means not having their nose in their phone or earbuds in their ears when walking, but instead noticing other people and vehicles on the street.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The county classified fewer than 25,000 homes as attainable in 2024 — compared to nearly 100,000 in 2018.—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2025
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If the rating agencies and regulators classify Bit Bonds as risk-free or near risk-free because the principal is sovereign-backed, these institutions might be able to deploy significant capital into them.—
Dave Birnbaum,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In the words of then New York Times restaurant critic Frank Bruni, Bar Boulud is a terrine machine, a pâté-a-palooza, dedicated to the proposition that discerning New Yorkers aren’t getting nearly enough concentrated, sculptured, gelatinous animal fat, at least not of a superior caliber.—
Sylvie Bigar,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
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For discerning travelers seeking an elevated ocean experience, Explora Journeys redefines luxury travel at sea with a seamless blend of elegance, discovery, and immersive exploration.—
Explora Journeys,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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But if Romano’s fastball remains lost, the Phillies will have to find another right-hander who can fill an end-game role.—
Anthony Stitt,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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Garcia Aquino, who was arrested on the charge two days after Hernandez's body was found, faces six years in prison if convicted.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Comments James Cameron has unveiled the first official footage from Avatar: Fire and Ash, though the general public may have to wait a little longer to see it.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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Columbia University was the first college to see its funding slashed – by $400 million – as part of the president’s threats to cut federal money to colleges accused of tolerating antisemitism amid the Israel-Hamas war that began in October 2023.—
Samantha Waldenberg, Carma Hassan and Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distinguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinguish. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
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