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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to characterize
to be an important feature of a collection of recipes distinguished by their ease and simplicity

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of distinguish Yet, the jury criminalized one set of transactions while sanctioning the other, without any meaningful legal standard to distinguish between them. Jim Saunders, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025 What tends to distinguish Korean horror is its emphasis on thematic resonance. Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025 This non-invasive tool can distinguish microcirculation in the finest vessels under 100 micrometers. Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2025 To help distinguish your costume from the Easter Bunny, paint on the toy monster’s signature sharp-toothed grin and craft a PopMart tag and key ring. Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 28 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for distinguish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinguish
Verb
  • In the below interview, Lockhart dives further into differentiating the stories, connecting the dots with very specific references to both books set on Beechwood Island, and where the hope lies in her newest novel, now out in bookstores.
    Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Paleontologists have long wrestled with how to differentiate between male and female dinosaurs based on their fossils.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Jim Trusty, Rozier’s attorney, strongly disputed the accusations, saying that prosecutors characterized Rozier as a subject of their investigation and not a target.
    Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
  • At the time, pranks characterized America’s Halloween celebrations.
    Chris Kenning, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • When the bodies of the drowned are retrieved, they’re sent to Alexandroupoli to be identified.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
  • The latest transfer of remains comes after Hamas handed over the bodies of two deceased hostages on Thursday evening, identified as Amiram Cooper, 84, and Sahar Baruch, 25.
    Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Harvey brings a distinctive approach to the nuclear narrative, one shaped by childhood memories of hearing about French President Jacques Chirac and the Rainbow Warrior bombing, but noticing the absence of First Nations voices in those stories.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Victims may not notice until much later, when more money has been taken.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The ratings group classifies 17 Republican Senate seats as solid Republican, with only two likely Republican and one as leans Republican.
    Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Furthermore, policymakers and procurement officials now classify technologies by urgency.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Here’s one auction that the more discerning Raging Bull collectors out there will want to keep an eye on.
    Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Each space has period furniture, original millwork, and all of the luxe amenities discerning travelers expect.
    Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The ones who needed to leave their mother tongue in order to find their true voice.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
  • More on the science behind the portfolio diet A few small studies led by Jenkins in 2003, including the trial that introduced the diet to the world, found an association between following the portfolio diet and a lower risk of heart disease and stroke.
    Renée Onque, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Say the managers see a software provider on the block at a bargain price, and want to add it to a tech portfolio.
    Shawn Tully, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2025
  • Conversely, first responders wouldn’t be able to see what's going on inside the aircraft.
    Staff Author, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Distinguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinguish. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.

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