1
as in excellence
exceptionally high quality
a shop selling native handicrafts of distinction
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in advantage
a quality that gives something special worth
has the distinction of being the oldest house in the city
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in accolade
public acknowledgment or admiration for an achievement
I did all of the work, and the other guy got all the distinction
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in dominance
the fact or state of being above others in rank or importance
a number of physicians of national distinction serve on the staff of the teaching hospital
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in award
something given in recognition of achievement
won a number of distinctions in her long career as an actress
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in difference
the quality or state of being different
the distinction between the two photographic prints escapes me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in separation
the state of being kept distinct
the distinction between liberty and license is often violated in today's freewheeling society
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distinction
The middle class, desperate to prove this distinction too, would spend an outsized portion of their income on glimmering dresses and other purchases meant to be seen by others.
—
Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2025
This idea animates every encounter between Ma and Boomba until the distinction between good and bad, right and wrong, begins to dissolve.
—Tope Folarin, The Atlantic, 8 Nov. 2025
However, upending the long-standing distinction between service fees and tips doesn’t appear likely.
—Cheryl Winokur Munk, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2025
Four Orange County schools were recognized as 2025 California Blue Ribbon Schools, a one-time distinction awarded to the state’s 31 most distinguished campuses this year.
—Claire Wang, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distinction
Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2025
This idea animates every encounter between Ma and Boomba until the distinction between good and bad, right and wrong, begins to dissolve.
—Tope Folarin, The Atlantic, 8 Nov. 2025
However, upending the long-standing distinction between service fees and tips doesn’t appear likely.
—Cheryl Winokur Munk, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2025
Four Orange County schools were recognized as 2025 California Blue Ribbon Schools, a one-time distinction awarded to the state’s 31 most distinguished campuses this year.
—Claire Wang, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distinction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinction
Noun
-
Microsoft returned to AfroTech in Houston for the second year to champion Black excellence in tech—bringing together creatives, innovators, and future tech leaders during its three-day House of Black TechXcellence experience.—
Essence,
Essence,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Mills was selected for his academic excellence, creative sensitivity and dedication, embodying the values that made Renne a fundamental figure in the fashion world.—
Andrea Onate,
Footwear News,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The work accomplished at Silent Swarm 2025, along with technology such as the TEEMS device, illustrates how the company is architecting the advantage for today’s performance and tomorrow’s success along the tactical edge.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Through two periods, Carolina had a 25-11 advantage in shots on goal.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
But beyond the wins, losses and accolades, there was the man who remained in his players’ lives, through good times and tough times.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The singer delivered a pulsating rendition of the record paired with slick choreography and a crew of dancers in a warehouse for the set that marks her latest accolade, being named Global Push Artist for November.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Leader Xi Jinping has pushed to modernize the military, particularly the navy, to challenge US dominance in the South China Sea and assert sovereignty claims over Taiwan.—
Brendan Ruberry,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
This trend suggests to me that the global dominance of English has diminished the need—and, over time, the desire—for native speakers to expand their linguistic terrain.—
Ross Benjamin,
The Atlantic,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
On Monday, he was posthumously named a national hero of Indonesia – prompting protests from human rights groups and victims who decried the award as whitewashing a repressive regime that left hundreds of thousands dead, according to historians.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
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While the film earned numerous accolades, including a Film Independent Spirit win and a Sundance Film Festival directing award, the experience of being both filmmaker’s and subject left him drained.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The difference is a handful of defenders get Moss’d every week.—
The Athletic College Football Staff,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
However, there's a significant difference between containing and controlling a wildfire.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The film’s title may be overstated, but there’s no denying the way the song’s message about longing, separation, and regret affected an inordinately wide range of people who heard it.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Transition services for service members nearing separation have been halted as well.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Education was considered an individual pursuit marked by moral excellency and only the students who did the best in school would have proceeded to higher education.—
Sara Novak,
Discover Magazine,
12 Nov. 2024
-
Zurich said the Game Changer Award pays tribute to excellency in the film business with a focus on leaders that not only cherish change and forward-thinking approaches in the business, but also stand for the DNA of what cinema has represented since its invention.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
10 Sep. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Distinction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinction. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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