Synonyms of distinguish

distinguish

verb

di-ˈstiŋ-(g)wish 

1

as in to differentiate

to understand or point out the difference in

even at such a young age, he could distinguish the calls of various birds

Synonyms & Similar Words

• differentiate
• discern
• discriminate
• separate
• difference
• understand
• secern
• comprehend
• know
• divide
• demarcate
• contradistinguish
• sever
• grasp
• set off
• mark (off)
• part

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confuse
• mix (up)
• mistake
• lump (together)
• mingle
• confound

2

as in to characterize

to be an important feature of

a collection of recipes distinguished by their ease and simplicity

Synonyms & Similar Words

• characterize
• differentiate
• mark
• customize
• individualize
• particularize

3

as in to identify

to find out or establish the identity of

learned at an early age to distinguish the sound of a piano in an orchestra

Synonyms & Similar Words

• identify
• find
• pinpoint
• locate
• recognize
• diagnose
• determine
• finger
• single (out)
• investigate
• ID
• put one's finger on
• examine
• check
• disclose
• pick out
• scrutinize
• inspect
• reveal
• discover
• notice
• spot
• observe
• place
• betray

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• conceal
• hide
• disguise
• camouflage
• simulate
• feign
• counterfeit
• sham

4

as in to notice

to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes

could barely distinguish the garden gate through the mist

Synonyms & Similar Words

• notice
• see
• spot
• eye
• regard
• discern
• perceive
• view
• observe
• sight
• remark
• look (at)
• identify
• note
• watch
• catch
• witness
• spy
• descry
• behold
• espy
• get a load of
• set eyes on
• consider
• lay eyes on
• pick out
• examine
• attend (to)
• mark
• inspect
• heed
• make out
• scrutinize
• scan
• study
• glimpse
• survey
• pick up
• glance (at)
• mind
• peer (at)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignore
• disregard
• pass over
• neglect
• miss
• overlook
• overpass

5

as in to classify

to arrange or assign according to type

on the exam we were asked to distinguish the specimens by acidity

Synonyms & Similar Words

• classify
• rank
• relegate
• categorize
• identify
• separate
• distribute
• group
• sort
• type
• recognize
• grade
• place
• codify
• organize
• class
• compartmentalize
• digest
• list
• file
• refer
• range
• peg
• order
• break down
• assort
• compartment
• systematize
• dispose
• catalog
• index
• cull
• draw up
• array
• alphabetize
• sift
• marshal
• reclassify
• shelve
• winnow
• pigeonhole
• clump
• set
• cluster
• regroup
• sieve
• screen
• subcategorize
• recategorize
• colligate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confuse
• lump
• mix (up)
• scramble
• disarrange
• jumble
• misclassify
• mistype
• missort

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of distinguish

The law also restricts certain uses of merchant-category codes to distinguish firearms retailers from general merchandise or sporting-goods stores. — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026

The Italian chophouse’s dining room will be distinguished by Art Deco finishes, marble tables, a wine wall and a vintage red motorcycle suspended over the rear bar. — Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026

But some ladies’ clothes cannot go into the dryer; easy for women to separate, but less so for men to distinguish. — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026

But some ladies’ clothes cannot go into the dryer — easy for women to separate, but less so for men to distinguish. — R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026