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
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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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distinction
But many physicists are not convinced by this cut-and-dried distinction.
—
Dipangkar Dutta, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025
Beyond improving mobility, the transition marked a step forward in gender equality within the police, eliminating visual distinctions and reinforcing that women could perform the same duties as men on the streets of Sweden.
—Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
My guess is that those who signed the pledge are unlikely to make fine distinctions.
—Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2025
Guadagnino draws no such distinction.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distinction
Dipangkar Dutta, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025
Beyond improving mobility, the transition marked a step forward in gender equality within the police, eliminating visual distinctions and reinforcing that women could perform the same duties as men on the streets of Sweden.
—Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
My guess is that those who signed the pledge are unlikely to make fine distinctions.
—Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2025
Guadagnino draws no such distinction.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distinction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinction
Noun
-
But like Lurie did in moving on from Pederson and Kraft has done in dumping Belichick, Ross must stop displaying eternal patience and be more adamant about demanding excellence.—
Barry Jackson
Updated October 7,
Miami Herald,
7 Oct. 2025
-
That said, one thing that stood out to me throughout this experiment was the overall excellence of the projection.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Securing the Shield ensures the top seed for Philly and home-field advantage throughout the MLS Cup playoffs for a team that has quietly gone about a consistent season without grabbing much in the way of attention.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
-
For today’s leaders, this means approaching every critical business decision with a mindset that considers how AI can deliver a competitive advantage.—
Derya Matras,
Fortune,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The short list and nominators remain a secret, and documents revealing the details of the selection process for the accolades are sealed from public view for 50 years.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
-
And for all the deserved accolades to European captain Luke Donald, such a man exists on that side.—
Hugh Kellenberger,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
After two years of the Florida Panthers’ postseason dominance, is the road clear for another team to win the Stanley Cup?—
Sean Gentille,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The deal marks a major endorsement of AMD's AI hardware and software capabilities as the company competes with Nvidia for dominance in the AI chip market.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Today, the Nobel Prize in Physics remains widely regarded as the most prestigious award in the discipline.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The award will honor the best drama project selected from the MIA Drama Co-production Market & Pitching Forum, as chosen by a jury from Sony Pictures Television.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
But at least some of his teammates notice a difference in Guerrero when the opponent is New York.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
-
The sherry needs to be manzanilla or fino, which is a difference in kind to the more oxidative types of sherry, like Amontillado, Oloroso, Palo Cortado, or the very sweet Pedro Ximénez.—
Jason O'Bryan,
Robb Report,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The actress formally filed for divorce in Nashville one day later, citing irreconcilable difference and listing the date of separation as the time of filing.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Among these compounds are salts called electrolytes, which could suppress charge separation between gas bubbles.—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN Money,
8 Oct. 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 9 Oct. 2025.
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