Entry Word: distinguish

Function: verb

Meaning: 1 to understand or point out the difference <even at such a young age, he could distinguish between right and wrong>

Synonyms differentiate, discern, discriminate, separate

Related Words comprehend, grasp, know, understand; divide, part, sever; demarcate, mark (off), set off

Near Antonyms confound, lump (together), mingle

Antonyms confuse, mistake, mix (up)

2 to be an important feature of <recipes distinguished by their ease and simplicity> — see characterize 2
3 to find out or establish the identity of <learned at an early age to distinguish the sound of a piano in an orchestra> — see identify 1
4 to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes <could barely distinguish the garden gate through the mist> — see see 1