differentia

noun

ˌdi-fə-ˈren(t)-sh(ē-)ə How to pronounce differentia (audio)
Definition of differentianext
as in characteristic
something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind a list of the chief differentiae between a controlling cult and a legitimate religious sect

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for differentia
  1. characteristic
  2. trait
  3. quality
  4. attribute
  5. feature
  6. attribution
  7. criterion
Noun
  • Precious metals, coins, and stones require different checks, and both their characteristics and applicable market prices inform the amount offered.
    — Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026
  • These characteristics, along with technical skills that include critical thinking, are ideal in candidate evaluation today.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of characteristic
Noun
  • Below, Forbes Coaches Council members share some unusual questions to ask and the kinds of traits or behaviors their answers may reveal.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The early amphibian is described in a study published today in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, and is an example of how some of the classic traits seen in today’s living frogs and salamanders evolved.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of trait
Noun
  • Even as Portland, Maine, has continued to welcome new boutique hotels, ‘The Press’ is still one of the most personal and consistently high in quality.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Their microscopy confirmed the quality of the crystal structure.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of quality
Noun
  • Focus And Discernment Professionals from the private sector who come to the nonprofit sector bring several important skills and attributes, such as a clear focus and discernment that helps avoid mission drift.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Since the 1960s, cesium has been the element of choice, though clocks based on other metals, such as ytterbium or strontium, have been created for their own handy attributes.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of attribute
Noun
  • Asian cinema accounts for 96 films, women directed 41, and 20 are official entries for the international feature category at the 99th Academy Awards.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 Oct. 2026
  • After living in the City of Lights for more than a decade, the designer said he was drawn to its features, which informed his palette that runs from sky blues to Seine greens, via tones inspired by its typical stone buildings.
    — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of feature
Noun
  • Many have passed without clear attribution, only intensifying speculation.
    — Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Marketers have spent years building attribution systems to answer that question, and retailer first-party data, authenticated audiences, clean rooms and commerce media networks are finally making more of the journey measurable.
    — Dani Nadel, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of attribution
Noun
  • One rule of thumb is to always choose somewhere displaying the VPN sign outside—this stands for Verace Pizza Napoletana, and guarantees that the pizza will be made according to an exacting set of criteria.
    — Nicky Swallow, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Earlier this summer, CalMatters reported only one research institute in California appeared to meet the criteria included in the measure for the nonprofit that would be awarded half the bond proceeds.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of criterion
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.

Browse Nearby Words

different
differentia
differentiability
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Cite this Entry

“Differentia.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/differentia. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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