as in characteristic
serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group
a novice birder still learning the distinguishing features of various finches
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in differentiating
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in characterizing
to be an important feature of
a collection of recipes distinguished by their ease and simplicity
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in identifying
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in noticing
to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes
could barely distinguish the garden gate through the mist
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in classifying
to arrange or assign according to type
on the exam we were asked to distinguish the specimens by acidity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distinguishing
Andrey Mir, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
Per Alström, a researcher involved in the study, described the challenge of distinguishing the two species by conventional means.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
Only service dogs wearing distinguishing markers are allowed at the park.
—Jasmine Mendez
follow, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
Real-world experiments will need to tackle significant challenges, especially distinguishing the signal from various sources of noise that can also affect photon frequencies.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 21 Mar. 2026
But other bolt-holes stand out for giving the beds themselves extra attention, distinguishing them in some particularly charming or even surreal way (see beds carved out of literal ice).
—Kathryn Romeyn, Architectural Digest, 9 Mar. 2026
Every building has distinguishing characteristics.
—Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 7 Mar. 2026
This, in turn, can lead to overeating, as well as difficulty distinguishing between hunger and fullness cues—essential skills in budding eaters.
—Sally Kuzemchak, Parents, 7 Mar. 2026
But OpenAI can’t weigh in on individual use cases for its technology, Altman said, such as distinguishing which specific military operations might be considered good or bad.
—Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 2026
Verb
The criterion of self-consciousness, meanwhile, is of no use for the practical task of distinguishing between human and nonhuman digital activity.
—Andrey Mir, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
Per Alström, a researcher involved in the study, described the challenge of distinguishing the two species by conventional means.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
Only service dogs wearing distinguishing markers are allowed at the park.
—Jasmine Mendez
follow, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
Real-world experiments will need to tackle significant challenges, especially distinguishing the signal from various sources of noise that can also affect photon frequencies.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 21 Mar. 2026
But other bolt-holes stand out for giving the beds themselves extra attention, distinguishing them in some particularly charming or even surreal way (see beds carved out of literal ice).
—Kathryn Romeyn, Architectural Digest, 9 Mar. 2026
Every building has distinguishing characteristics.
—Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 7 Mar. 2026
This, in turn, can lead to overeating, as well as difficulty distinguishing between hunger and fullness cues—essential skills in budding eaters.
—Sally Kuzemchak, Parents, 7 Mar. 2026
But OpenAI can’t weigh in on individual use cases for its technology, Altman said, such as distinguishing which specific military operations might be considered good or bad.
—Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinguishing
Adjective
-
Some had characteristic ticks etched along their outer edges, while others looked like small sticks cut lengthwise, with a flat and a curved side—forms that their makers crafted deliberately to produce random outcomes.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The show is curated by the artist’s daughters, Aiko Cuneo and Addie Lanier, and will feature many characteristic pieces.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Anonymity will continue to be Reddit’s differentiating factor.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Or, at least, differentiating that the sandwiches Wawa and other convenience stores and delis in the area sell are in fact called hoagies.—
Kaitlyn McCormick,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The notion of characterizing such a move as anything more than penalizing the public — which is finally balking at more taxation — is nonsense.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Analysts at Mizuho, for example, urged investors not to overreact, characterizing the move as typical profit-taking after a strong rally.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Earlier electrochemical approaches also faced limitations, including low yields and difficulty in clearly identifying the products formed.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Mar. 2026
-
In 2022, a rumor surfaced in a Michigan school district that litter boxes were being added to unisex bathrooms for students identifying as cats, the New York Times reported.—
Jessica Ma,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Writers Raoul Groothuizen and Christina Poppe came up with the idea back in 2018, after noticing a sharp rise in racist rhetoric among the Flemish far-right.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Scientists had long assumed most of the moon lay beyond the protection of Earth’s magnetic field, but in 2019 scientists began noticing something odd about the experiment’s data that suggested the moon was somewhat protected from galactic cosmic rays.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Like Wright’s past games, this one would be about tinkering, about trial and error, about classifying and reclassifying and watching as one’s psyche-map changed.—
Eric Boodman,
Vulture,
25 Mar. 2026
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That includes House Bill 1117, which would require Maryland Medicaid and other state programs to cover monitoring devices by classifying them as medical equipment for individuals at higher risk of elopement.—
Danielle J. Brown,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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On this postcard-perfect corner of Canada’s northeastern province of Newfoundland and Labrador that’s slammed by wind and waves, cod-fishing communities hold on to their distinctive settler history.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The Hyundai also boasts a distinctive design that sets it apart from other SUVs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The way out of this bind is going to require all of us to get better at spotting the output of AI, and to continue shaming those who get caught red keyboarded.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Police then lost sight of the vehicle before spotting it being driven west on Campbell Avenue, where the driver abruptly stopped in front of a bar, according to Allard.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distinguishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinguishing. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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