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dif·fer·en·ti·ate | \ ˌdi-fə-ˈren(t)-shē-ˌāt 
\
\differentiated; differentiating
Definition of differentiate
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
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
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Other Words from differentiate
differentiability \ ˌdi-fə-ˌren(t)-sh(ē-)ə-ˈbi-lə-tē \ noun
\ noundifferentiable \ ˌdi-fə-ˈren(t)-sh(ē-)ə-bəl \ adjective
\ 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 What differentiates this sneaker from the rest is a special foam cushioning element dubbed Helion, which helps your feet rebound upon impact.
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Christie Calucchia, Health.com, "The On Cloudflow Running Shoes Are so Lightweight, You’ll Think You’re Barefoot," 3 Dec. 2019 So what differentiates a satisfying level from a frustrating one?
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Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, "A Nintendo designer reviews your Super Mario Maker 2 levels," 19 Nov. 2019 What differentiates physical from mathematical objects or a simulation from the original system?
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George Musser, Scientific American, "The Search for Truth in Physics," 25 Aug. 2019 Another 70 will be struggling with suicidal thoughts but have made no attempts, a group that could help researchers understand what differentiates teens who put thoughts into action from teens who don't.
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Kelly Servick, Science | AAAS, "Suicide attempts are hard to anticipate. A study that tracks teens’ cellphone use aims to change that," 21 Aug. 2019 What differentiates hemp from its cohort marijuana is the amount of euphoria-inducing THC.
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Dara Kam, orlandosentinel.com, "Hemp’s healing potential has Florida farmers high on the now-legal crop," 26 July 2019 Or at least, never to express opinions that might differentiate you from a doormat.
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Jennifer Wright, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Decade of Enduring Male Fragility," 27 Dec. 2019 One key detail that differentiates the home from a classic farmhouse, Curtis points out, is its use of a distinctive wood treatment known as Shou Sugi Ban on the exterior.
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Sarah Cook Mcbride, al, "East meets West in this modern, forested farmhouse," 21 Dec. 2019 Jumping between Hallmark and Lifetime channels, there’s little that differentiates between the two.
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Jessica Klein, Fortune, "‘Tis the Season for Holiday Movies—and Hallmark and Lifetime Aren’t Afraid of Netflix," 17 Dec. 2019
See MoreThese 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.
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More Definitions for differentiate
differentiate
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of differentiate
: to make (someone or something) different in some way
: to see or state the difference or differences between two or more things
See the full definition for differentiate in the English Language Learners Dictionary
differentiate
verbdif·fer·en·ti·ate | \ ˌdi-fə-ˈren-shē-ˌāt \
\differentiated; differentiating
Kids Definition of differentiate
1 : to make or become different
What differentiates the cars?
2 : to recognize or state the difference between
I can't differentiate the two colors.
differentiate
verbdif·fer·en·ti·ate | \ ˌdif-ə-ˈren-chē-ˌāt \
\differentiated; differentiating
Medical Definition of differentiate
1 : to constitute a difference that distinguishes
the history of the injury also differentiates these two fractures— J. S. Keene et al
2 : to cause differentiation of in the course of development
3 : to discriminate or give expression to a specific difference that distinguishes
quickly learned to differentiate sharp pain from dull pain
4 : to cause differentiation in (a specimen for microscopic examination) by staining
1 : to recognize or express a difference
differentiate between humans and the rest of the primates
2 : to undergo differentiation
when a B cell matures, it differentiates into a plasma cell that secretes antibodies— R. C. Gallo
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Comments on differentiate
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Time Traveler for differentiate
The first known use of differentiate was in 1814
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