differentiate
verb
dif·fer·en·ti·ate
ˌdi-fə-ˈren(t)-shē-ˌāt 
differentiated; differentiating
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
Sherwood Anderson4
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
Synonyms
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
The ability to signal for help can differentiate between a safe return and a dire situation.
—Craig Caudill, Field & Stream, 16 Nov. 2023
As of last Friday, more than 11,000 Palestinians, two-thirds of them women and minors, have been killed since the war began, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza, which does not differentiate between civilian and militant deaths.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 14 Nov. 2023
Consumer-Centered Innovation And Independent Media Platforms Innovation lies at the intersection of competition and the ability to differentiate.
—Jon Kirchner, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
More than 11,000 Palestinians, two-thirds of them women and minors, have been killed since the war began, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza, which does not differentiate between civilian and militant deaths.
—Najib Jobain, TIME, 12 Nov. 2023
For instance, there are ditches, depressions, smooth patches, and projections that differentiate one skeleton from another, along with many other types of unique markings.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 3 Nov. 2023
Despite her attempts to differentiate everyone, though, the multiple casting becomes dramatically confusing: There’s a thematic point in having Sabbath not be able to tell the women in his life apart, but it gets obscured by the way this production tries to follow the book’s slippery structure.
—Vulture, 2 Nov. 2023
These include: Nasal swab — antigen or molecular Chest X-ray — if breathing problems are present
Pulse oximetry monitoring — to check oxygen levels
Since RSV can cause symptoms like that of the flu and/or COVID-19, swab testing can differentiate between these repository viruses.
—Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 3 Nov. 2023
It will be supplemented by guidance from the Commerce Department on labeling and watermarking content that is AI-generated, so that authentic footage and imagery can be differentiated from that generated by software (which, in theory, could limit the threat posed by deepfakes).
—Virginia Chamlee, Peoplemag, 1 Nov. 2023
See More
Craig Caudill, Field & Stream, 16 Nov. 2023
As of last Friday, more than 11,000 Palestinians, two-thirds of them women and minors, have been killed since the war began, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza, which does not differentiate between civilian and militant deaths.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 14 Nov. 2023
Consumer-Centered Innovation And Independent Media Platforms Innovation lies at the intersection of competition and the ability to differentiate.
—Jon Kirchner, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
More than 11,000 Palestinians, two-thirds of them women and minors, have been killed since the war began, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza, which does not differentiate between civilian and militant deaths.
—Najib Jobain, TIME, 12 Nov. 2023
For instance, there are ditches, depressions, smooth patches, and projections that differentiate one skeleton from another, along with many other types of unique markings.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 3 Nov. 2023
Despite her attempts to differentiate everyone, though, the multiple casting becomes dramatically confusing: There’s a thematic point in having Sabbath not be able to tell the women in his life apart, but it gets obscured by the way this production tries to follow the book’s slippery structure.
—Vulture, 2 Nov. 2023
These include: Nasal swab — antigen or molecular Chest X-ray — if breathing problems are present
Pulse oximetry monitoring — to check oxygen levels
Since RSV can cause symptoms like that of the flu and/or COVID-19, swab testing can differentiate between these repository viruses.
—Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 3 Nov. 2023
It will be supplemented by guidance from the Commerce Department on labeling and watermarking content that is AI-generated, so that authentic footage and imagery can be differentiated from that generated by software (which, in theory, could limit the threat posed by deepfakes).
—Virginia Chamlee, Peoplemag, 1 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'differentiate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
probably borrowed from Medieval Latin differentiātus, past participle of differentiāre "to distinguish" (New Latin in mathematical sense), verbal derivative of Latin differentia difference entry 1
First Known Use
1814, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Articles Related to differentiate
Dictionary Entries Near differentiate
Cite this Entry
“Differentiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/differentiate. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
differentiate
verb
dif·fer·en·ti·ate
ˌdif-ə-ˈren-chē-ˌāt
differentiated; differentiating
1
: to make or become different in some way
the color of their eyes differentiates the twins
2
: to undergo or cause to undergo differentiation in the course of development
3
: to see or state the difference or differences
differentiate between two plants
Medical Definition
differentiate
verb
dif·fer·en·ti·ate
ˌdif-ə-ˈren-chē-ˌāt
differentiated; differentiating
1
: to constitute a difference that distinguishes
the history of the injury also differentiates these two fractures—J. S. Keene et al.
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
R. C. Gallo
More from Merriam-Webster on differentiate
Nglish: Translation of differentiate for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of differentiate for Arabic Speakers
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