differentiate

verb

dif·fer·en·ti·ate | \ ˌdi-fə-ˈren(t)-shē-ˌāt

differentiated; differentiating

Definition of differentiate

1 mathematics : to obtain the mathematical derivative (see derivative entry 1 sense 3) of

2 : to mark or show a difference in : constitute a contrasting element that distinguishes features that differentiate the twins how we differentiate ourselves from our competitors

3 : to develop differential or distinguishing characteristics in What differentiated a laborer from another man …— Sherwood Anderson

4 biology : to cause differentiation (see differentiation sense 3b) of in the course of development cells that are differentiated from stem cells

5 : to express the specific distinguishing quality of : discriminate differentiate poetry and prose

intransitive verb

1 : to recognize or give expression to a difference difficult to differentiate between the two

2 : to become distinct or different in character

3 biology : to undergo differentiation (see differentiation sense 3b) when the cells begin to differentiate

Other Words from differentiate Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about differentiate

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Other Words from differentiate

differentiability \ ˌdi-fə-ˌren(t)-sh(ē-)ə-ˈbi-lə-tē

\ noun

differentiable \ ˌdi-fə-ˈren(t)-sh(ē-)ə-bəl

\ adjective

Examples of differentiate in a Sentence

The only thing that differentiates the twins is the color of their eyes. it was hard at first to differentiate between the two styles of music

Recent Examples on the Web

Cameras, meanwhile, are best at recognizing objects by differentiating between, say, a heavy motorcycle and a lightweight bicycle. — Matthew Jancer, Popular Mechanics, "Your Next Car Could Have Airbags That Inflate on the Outside," 15 Feb. 2019 Consider, too, going one step further by differentiating between the good, the bad, and the ugly (or chronic) types of stress. — Kate Branch, Vogue, "Now, Experts Say Stress Can Be Good for Your Health—Really," 18 Dec. 2018 Color is a key tool in differentiating between those two sides of the story: the flashbacks and present-day look like two different shows. — Alex Abad-santos, Vox, "How Netflix’s The Haunting of Hill House uses color to underscore its horror," 26 Oct. 2018 Wisconsin law differentiated between voters who were overseas temporarily and permanently, a distinction that decided how an individual received their absentee ballot. — Max Bayer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin, U.S. Department of Justice reach agreement ensuring electronic absentee ballots," 22 June 2018 Bell's, based in the Kalamazoo area, remains an independent craft brewery by the guidelines of the Brewers Association, the craft-brewers trade organization that has increasingly sought to differentiate between independent and big beer. — Robert Allen, Detroit Free Press, "Craft beer made in Bud Light tanks: The story of 'Selling Out'," 1 June 2018 The purpose of the study was to determine if scientists could create a fingerprint test that allowed them to differentiate between drug users and those who may have gotten drugs transferred to their hands through something like a handshake. — Emily Price, Fortune, "You May Have Traces of Cocaine or Heroin on Your Fingertips Right Now," 22 Mar. 2018 Cook has recently focused on making similar public statements in an attempt to differentiate Apple from competitors that are poorly perceived by the public, particularly in regard to privacy. — Samuel Axon, Ars Technica, "Apple will spend $1 billion and hire up to 15,000 people for new Austin office," 13 Dec. 2018 The report doesn’t differentiate between regular and temporary employees, who are about 15 percent of the workforce. — Daniel Beekman, The Seattle Times, "Seattle city workers tell of unfair treatment and mistrust, as government tracks diversity shortfalls," 13 Aug. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'differentiate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.