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
Taylor Brown, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Researchers say that their discovery has helped tremendously in distinguishing the theropods of this region, which were poorly known before.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 1 Jan. 2025
In times of uncertainty, distinguishing between reliable information and speculation becomes crucial.
—Ian Shepherd, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
As generative AI continues to accelerate, distinguishing between real and fake content online is becoming nearly impossible.
—Steven Smith, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
His administration attracted worldwide praise for distinguishing itself with a firm commitment to international human rights.
—Justin Doom, ABC News, 29 Dec. 2024
Russian speakers in the experiment proved faster than English speakers at distinguishing shades that corresponded to that lexical distinction.
—Manvir Singh, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
While the ambitious stories and powerful performances help Farscape stand out in small-screen sci-fi, the most distinguishing aspect is the awesome muppets, courtesy of the Jim Henson Company.
—Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 22 Dec. 2024
One of the distinguishing frameworks of the Edo period banquet was the presentation of the courses on trays.
—Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2024
Verb
This involves distinguishing between the data plane, where information is transferred, and the control plane, which governs processes without directly handling the data itself.
—Taylor Brown, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Researchers say that their discovery has helped tremendously in distinguishing the theropods of this region, which were poorly known before.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 1 Jan. 2025
In times of uncertainty, distinguishing between reliable information and speculation becomes crucial.
—Ian Shepherd, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
As generative AI continues to accelerate, distinguishing between real and fake content online is becoming nearly impossible.
—Steven Smith, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
His administration attracted worldwide praise for distinguishing itself with a firm commitment to international human rights.
—Justin Doom, ABC News, 29 Dec. 2024
Russian speakers in the experiment proved faster than English speakers at distinguishing shades that corresponded to that lexical distinction.
—Manvir Singh, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
While the ambitious stories and powerful performances help Farscape stand out in small-screen sci-fi, the most distinguishing aspect is the awesome muppets, courtesy of the Jim Henson Company.
—Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 22 Dec. 2024
One of the distinguishing frameworks of the Edo period banquet was the presentation of the courses on trays.
—Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinguishing
Adjective
-
That Seattle connection seemed lacking in the cup shy of the characteristic dark roast kick.—
Leslie Kelly,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
-
Marked by his characteristic defiance and artistic audacity, with costumes and staging referencing his own art, Ai’s production transforms the iconic opera into a powerful statement on contemporary issues, weaving in themes of war, refugee crises and the pandemic.—
Lise Pedersen,
Variety,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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With this approach, grocers can display all store items online, differentiating between those immediately available and those available at a future date.—
Devadas Pattathil,
Forbes,
19 Dec. 2024
-
Many of these startups position themselves as AI search engines centered on scholarly research—each with differentiating product features and target audiences.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
18 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Those images were released as police requested the public's assistance in identifying the man, who fled the train.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
31 Dec. 2024
-
Prepare by identifying potential roadblocks and devising contingency plans.—
Mark Murphy,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The National Labor Relations Board issued a complaint Wednesday against the popular Netflix dating show, classifying its stars as employees and accusing the program of several labor violations.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA TODAY,
13 Dec. 2024
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Those deaths aren't counted in our statistics, and that's primarily because of the difficulty in classifying those deaths in a disaster.—
Melody Schreiber,
NPR,
13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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These minerals vary depending on the spring, giving sparkling water its distinctive taste profiles—from softly bubbly and subtly salty to bracingly effervescent with a sharp minerality.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
2 Apr. 2025
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This distinctive hue, paler in the center and deeper around the edges, evokes the shimmering beauty of alpine glaciers and lakes and the change in their reflections as the light changes and time passes.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The case is composed of four distinct elements: two lateral sections, a case back and a bezel.—
Anthony DeMarco,
Forbes.com,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Kim’s hands give us critical theories and histories of governing lines, all the while conjuring distinct Deaf lines.—
Mara Mills,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The games have been about playing spoiler in the NFC playoff picture and seeing what on this 2024 roster is transferrable to the future.—
Saad Yousuf,
The Athletic,
5 Jan. 2025
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In particular, health districts and hospitals are seeing more flu and pertussis, known as whooping cough.—
Carolyn Komatsoulis,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Everything is very primitive, but quite typical of the Russians.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Tray Feeders Tray feeders are flat platforms with bird seed in them that typical hang from a hook or sit on your deck.—
Abby Fribush,
Southern Living,
27 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distinguishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinguishing. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.
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