as in characteristic
serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group
a novice birder still learning the distinguishing features of various finches
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in differentiating
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in characterizing
to be an important feature of
a collection of recipes distinguished by their ease and simplicity
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in identifying
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 noticing
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 classifying
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 distinguishing
Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 1 June 2026
The first distinguishing feature is the nature of the problem being attacked.
—Ethan Stone, USA Today, 29 May 2026
It was determined that the bird is likely an adult female Lesser Frigatebird, the distinguishing point being a visible presence of a white hindcollar on the bird — the area wrapping up around the back of its neck — which would be lacking on a Magnificent Frigatebird, Winkleman noted.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 28 May 2026
The core challenge of adapting systems of trust to the agentic economy is distinguishing legitimate from malicious automation without harming the user experience.
—Andrew Sever, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Many things work in Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed’s favor, distinguishing it from some of the duller comps in the past several years.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 27 May 2026
That's particularly true when distinguishing between addressing financial market functioning and supporting its dual inflation and employment goals.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 22 May 2026
The group blamed both the army and RSF and said some drones use visual monitoring technology capable of distinguishing targets, raising concerns that the attacks may not have been indiscriminate.
—ABC News, 16 May 2026
This trip and multiple follow-up conversations resulted in Ford shipping nearly complete Town Cars to China for Hongqi to outfit with its own distinguishing parts.
—Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 13 May 2026
Verb
This isn’t to say any of these teams would have challenged eventual champion LSU; the point is that distinguishing between teams 10 and 20 for inclusion in a 16-team CFP is virtually impossible.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 1 June 2026
The first distinguishing feature is the nature of the problem being attacked.
—Ethan Stone, USA Today, 29 May 2026
It was determined that the bird is likely an adult female Lesser Frigatebird, the distinguishing point being a visible presence of a white hindcollar on the bird — the area wrapping up around the back of its neck — which would be lacking on a Magnificent Frigatebird, Winkleman noted.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 28 May 2026
The core challenge of adapting systems of trust to the agentic economy is distinguishing legitimate from malicious automation without harming the user experience.
—Andrew Sever, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Many things work in Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed’s favor, distinguishing it from some of the duller comps in the past several years.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 27 May 2026
That's particularly true when distinguishing between addressing financial market functioning and supporting its dual inflation and employment goals.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 22 May 2026
The group blamed both the army and RSF and said some drones use visual monitoring technology capable of distinguishing targets, raising concerns that the attacks may not have been indiscriminate.
—ABC News, 16 May 2026
This trip and multiple follow-up conversations resulted in Ford shipping nearly complete Town Cars to China for Hongqi to outfit with its own distinguishing parts.
—Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinguishing
Adjective
-
The gulf between their two worlds is wide, and Jude straddles it with wide-ranging intellect and his characteristic impish wit, while also telling a surprisingly heartfelt story about the lengths to which a mother will go for love.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
11 June 2026
-
Ecology remained characteristic of her approach, but Carson now broadened her aims to encompass a mobilization of public opinion equal to the task of addressing the widespread harms of chemical pesticides in everyday life and agricultural ecosystems alike.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
There will be no differentiating paragraphs for the Spurs fans.—
David Troy OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
-
In the 1970s and 1980s, as violent fan hooliganism spread in England, Nevin says Scotland fans tacked the other way, differentiating themselves by being nice, making friends with everyone — and throwing a good party.—
Lauren Frayer,
NPR,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
So much of The Last Supper involved characterizing songs, movies, music videos, paintings, and so on.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 June 2026
-
Many in the scientific research community disagree, characterizing the changes as the White House attempting to usurp autonomy from scientists and career civil servants.—
Allison DeAngelis,
STAT,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Chicago police are asking for the public's help in identifying a suspect who stabbed another man during a fight on a CTA Blue Line train earlier this month.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
-
The leaders of three of the world’s most influential film festivals told Shanghai on Sunday that the role of the festival circuit in discovering and developing new voices has never been more critical – and that personal connection, not data, remains the truest compass for identifying talent.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Now, more people are noticing and appreciating it.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
13 June 2026
-
Cycle syncing is most useful as a framework for noticing your own patterns rather than a strict rulebook.—
Allison Palmer
Updated June 13,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
The team began sorting through possible origins for this high-energy neutrino particle by acting like cosmic forensic detectives, classifying the detection of the particle as a crime scene and hunting for potential clues that point toward a culprit.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
28 May 2026
-
Researchers debuted an inventory for classifying apocalyptic belief, comprising anthropogenic causality, theogenic causality, imminence, personal control, and the question of whether the end is a good or bad thing.—
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
26 May 2026
Adjective
-
Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler play a central role in American independent cinema, championing bold, ambitious and distinctive storytelling.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 June 2026
-
Her distinctive voice has been Widowspeak’s emblem since the band first emerged, warbled like Mazzy Star’s Hope Sandoval over CB radio.—
Linnie Greene,
Pitchfork,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
But the Atlanta product was a versatile combo guard in college who could play on or off the ball, facilitating out of pick-and-rolls, spotting up or creating his own shot against 1-on-1 defense.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
9 June 2026
-
Fans are probably lining up for scones in hopes of spotting Ashley crying behind the counter.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distinguishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinguishing. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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