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distinguished

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verb

past tense of distinguish
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as in characterized
to be an important feature of a collection of recipes distinguished by their ease and simplicity

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word distinguished different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of distinguished are celebrated, eminent, famous, illustrious, noted, notorious, and renowned. While all these words mean "known far and wide," distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority.

a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

When is it sensible to use celebrated instead of distinguished?

The words celebrated and distinguished are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print.

the most celebrated beauty of her day

When could eminent be used to replace distinguished?

Although the words eminent and distinguished have much in common, eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character.

the country's most eminent writers

When can famous be used instead of distinguished?

The meanings of famous and distinguished largely overlap; however, famous implies little more than the fact of being, sometimes briefly, widely and popularly known.

a famous actress

When might illustrious be a better fit than distinguished?

While the synonyms illustrious and distinguished are close in meaning, illustrious stresses enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person.

illustrious war heroes

When would noted be a good substitute for distinguished?

In some situations, the words noted and distinguished are roughly equivalent. However, noted suggests well-deserved public attention.

the noted mystery writer

How do notorious and famous relate to one another, in the sense of distinguished?

Notorious frequently adds to famous an implication of questionableness or evil.

a notorious gangster

In what contexts can renowned take the place of distinguished?

While in some cases nearly identical to distinguished, renowned implies more glory and acclamation.

one of the most renowned figures in sports history

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 distinguished
Adjective
The building itself had its own distinguished pedigree, designed in 1927 by George and Edward Blum. Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 22 Aug. 2025 In Death in a Shallow Pond: A Philosopher, A Drowning Child, and Strangers in Need (Princeton University Press, $27.95), David Edmonds, a distinguished research fellow at Oxford, follows its ripples all the way out. Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
Hackman’s searing turn as the hyper, gum-smacking Doyle in the documentary-style French Connection distinguished him as a leading man. Duane Byrge, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Feb. 2025 The design—distinguished by its signature splashes of crimson red—feels personal and polished. Rachel Fletcher, Architectural Digest, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for distinguished
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinguished
Adjective
  • In many ways, Eze feels a throwback Arsenal player, the kind of footballer blessed with supreme technique and control in tight spaces, rather than the more imposing figures like Declan Rice and Merino that Arteta has recruited.
    Dan Cancian, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Proposals ranged from turning the block into a public pavilion to adding a fabric facade around the current building to give it a less imposing look.
    Andy Rose, CNN Money, 19 July 2025
Adjective
  • In 2024, he was also arrested for DUI but failed to appear in court, leaving an outstanding warrant.
    Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 27 Aug. 2025
  • Why do some 80-year-olds have exceptional memories and outstanding critical thinking skills?
    Julia Ries Wexler, Health, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • What’s new visually is what’s news here; the fact that Dead & Company are doing completely unique setlists each night — or at least completely differentiated over the course of a three-day weekend — is an old, dog-bites-man story.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Imax is hugely differentiated from at-home watching.
    Ramin Setoodeh, Variety, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Other common ants found in the state include the carpenter ant, characterized by their large, black bodies, and fire ants, known for their red color and affinity for building large mounds in yards that can be dangerous, Hayes said.
    Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Although college sports have long been characterized by a divide between the ‘haves and have nots’, mid-major basketball programs encounter even greater challenges competing within this evolving landscape due to limited resources and geographical constraints.
    Mark LaSota, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The Lake County Coroner’s Office has identified the Gary man shot and killed by Gary Police Wednesday morning after a hostage situation involving a 1-year-old child.
    Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The victims of the helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River off New York City have been identified.
    Brian Brant, People.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • And our findings have broader implications for how species are classified and protected under conservation laws.
    Andre A. Naranjo, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2025
  • Arrest warrant questioned Many law experts question the validity of the warrant, which specified that certain key provisions of South Korea's Criminal Procedure Act should be excluded, which meant the police could search the military and government-classified presidential residence.
    Joohee Cho, ABC News, 5 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Brzezinski exuded an air of confidence, his dignified, hawklike profile and clipped speech befitting the descendant of a family that traced its origins to a centuries-old line of Polish nobility.
    Niall Ferguson, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025
  • The songs were still scrappy and homespun, a set of dignified demos, but their magic was unmistakable.
    Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Social media users have reacted to Steve Witkoff, Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, suggesting that the president has been overlooked for the prestigious award.
    Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
  • The Carters are also boasting a billion-dollar powerhouse; 35-time Grammy award-winner and international superstar Beyoncé married hip-hop legend Jay-Z back in 2008, who also won 25 of the prestigious music awards.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Distinguished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinguished. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.

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