Synonyms of distinction

distinction

noun

di-ˈstiŋ(k)-shən 

1

as in excellence

exceptionally high quality

a shop selling native handicrafts of distinction

Synonyms & Similar Words

• excellence
• excellency
• superiority
• importance
• greatness
• choiceness
• perfection
• primeness
• preeminence
• supremacy
• superbness
• first-rateness
• impeccability
• value
• perfectness
• faultlessness
• flawlessness
• goodness
• notability
• worth
• consequence

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inferiority
• badness
• mediocrity
• ordinariness
• worthlessness
• averageness
• crumminess

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

• advantage
• value
• merit
• virtue
• excellence
• grace
• excellency
• cardinal virtue
• superiority
• plus
• edge

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deficiency
• defect
• failing
• fault
• flaw
• demerit
• blemish
• drawback
• disvalue
• negative
• minus

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

• accolade
• glory
• applause
• honor
• acclaim
• credit
• praise
• commendation
• homage
• fame
• kudos
• laud
• ovation
• laurels
• props
• sun
• repute
• tribute
• renown
• bay(s)
• réclame
• celebrity
• compliment
• plaudit
• encomium
• recommendation
• toast
• panegyric
• citation
• eulogy
• acclamation
• rave
• elevation
• exaltation
• rhapsody
• enshrinement
• glorification
• note
• enthronement
• kudo

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

• dominance
• superiority
• reputation
• repute
• supremacy
• primacy
• transcendence
• renown
• eminence
• preponderance
• influence
• preeminence
• noteworthiness
• prepotency
• domination
• paramountcy
• preponderancy
• prestigiousness
• honor
• fame
• celebrity
• notoriety
• prestige
• kudos
• glory
• power
• greatness
• nobleness
• ascendancy
• famousness
• dominion
• stardom
• ascendance
• notableness
• authority
• illustriousness
• infamy
• weight
• superstardom
• megastardom

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• insignificance
• inferiority
• mediocrity
• obscurity
• obscureness

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

• award
• prize
• accolade
• honor
• trophy
• premium
• decoration
• medal
• plume
• blue ribbon
• badge
• kudo
• applause
• ribbon
• cup
• plate
• plaque
• tribute
• crown
• commendation
• laurel
• encomium
• homage
• citation
• compliment
• panegyric
• eulogy
• paean
• order
• plaudit
• honorable mention
• hallelujah
• bravo

6

as in difference

the quality or state of being different

the distinction between the two photographic prints escapes me

Synonyms & Similar Words

• difference
• distinctiveness
• distinctness
• contrast
• diversity
• discrepancy
• disparity
• dissimilarity
• disagreement
• diverseness
• distance
• divergence
• unlikeness
• dissimilitude
• otherness
• variation
• disparateness
• modification
• variability
• deviance
• dichotomy
• change
• distinguishability
• imbalance
• differentiability
• variance
• friction
• incongruity
• discord
• inequality
• dissent
• disproportion
• incongruence
• incompatibility
• disunity
• discordance
• conflict
• dissension
• strife
• nonconformity
• discriminability
• dissidence
• incongruousness
• anomalousness
• nonequivalence

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• similarity
• resemblance
• community
• analogy
• likeness
• identity
• sameness
• agreement
• accordance
• correspondence
• conformity
• parallelism
• equality
• congruity
• equivalence
• alikeness
• similitude
• analogousness
• equivalency
• identicalness
• uniformity
• homogeneity
• homogeneousness

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

• separation
• discrimination
• differentiation
• demarcation
• discreteness
• segregation
• isolation

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confusion
• blurring

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of distinction

The agency also states that no color additives are approved for injection into the skin for tattooing, an important distinction when considering pigment safety. — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Oct. 2026

That distinction matters as AIPAC support has become a liability in some Democratic primaries amid the war in Gaza, with candidates attacking rivals for accepting its support and some lawmakers pledging to reject money tied to the group. — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026

White said that distinction remains central to his challenge. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026

The distinction matters because operating an unmanned vessel requires more than plotting a route. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026