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
Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2025
This is not distinguishing Russia.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
Yet distinguishing between truly innovative improvements and low-value extensions has been challenging for regulators and courts.
—Lucy Xiaolu Wang, The Conversation, 23 Sep. 2025
Instead of focusing on ambient sound levels, the marine biologists on this team were primarily interested in distinguishing mating calls.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 18 Sep. 2025
The distinguishing factor lies in offering complete confidence to buyers who expect more than just salesmanship.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
The odd one out is the shape with no distinguishing features.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
All black holes with the same mass and spin must be the same, with no distinguishing features.
—Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 10 Sep. 2025
Kraft Heinz also had trouble distinguishing its products from cheaper store brands.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
In the current threat environment, the offenders are often not distinguishing.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2025
This is not distinguishing Russia.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
Yet distinguishing between truly innovative improvements and low-value extensions has been challenging for regulators and courts.
—Lucy Xiaolu Wang, The Conversation, 23 Sep. 2025
Instead of focusing on ambient sound levels, the marine biologists on this team were primarily interested in distinguishing mating calls.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 18 Sep. 2025
The distinguishing factor lies in offering complete confidence to buyers who expect more than just salesmanship.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
The odd one out is the shape with no distinguishing features.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
All black holes with the same mass and spin must be the same, with no distinguishing features.
—Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 10 Sep. 2025
Kraft Heinz also had trouble distinguishing its products from cheaper store brands.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinguishing
Adjective
-
Anthropic, which did not publish examples of the chatbot’s responses, has been cautious not to suggest that this characteristic alone means that the bot is sentient.—
Webb Wright,
The Atlantic,
1 Oct. 2025
-
But most important to our search for the real Mary is that as a young girl she would have been exposed to a diverse environment combining Jewish, Greek, and Roman cultures, high and low, in a mix that was characteristic of the multicultural region of Galilee into which she was born.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In addition to the cohosts getting into memorable spats over Harris' bid for the presidency, during a pre-2024 election interview on the show in October of last year, Harris responded to one of Hostin's questions that inquired about differentiating herself from President Biden's policies.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Sep. 2025
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Beyond differentiating between the sounds, the team also confirmed consistent seasonal patterns in the grouper’s spawning activity that are closely linked to lunar cycles.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Abarca says complaints overblown Abarca, at the time, welcomed the investigation, characterizing the complaints as overblown.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Following Kirk's killing, Jezebel removed the original article, issuing a statement characterizing it as humor and reiterating that the publication condoned neither physical harm nor political violence.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
ProPublica is not identifying the former station chief or the contractor to protect their safety.—
T. Christian Miller,
ProPublica,
30 Sep. 2025
-
In August, Kelley was arrested and charged with three misdemeanors — one for electronic communications harassment and two for electronic disclosure of personal identifying information — following days of apparent confrontational social media posts allegedly doxxing her friends and family members.—
Julia Moore,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The dangers of not having a name After Hugh-Jones published his 1955 paper, researchers around the globe started noticing similar cases that didn't fit Type 1 or Type 2.—
Jonathan Lambert,
NPR,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Anderson says, suddenly noticing the red light on my recorder.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Forecasters give Sherrill an advantage, with both the Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball classifying the race as Leans Democrat.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Without establishing any link to last week’s shooting, the Republican president and members of his administration have discussed classifying some groups as domestic terrorists, ordering racketeering investigations and revoking tax-exempt status for progressive nonprofits.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The ground floor is home to the offices of creative director Gherardo Felloni and longtime brand ambassador Inès de la Fressange; the Salon de l’Héritage, an exhibition space and the Salon Vivier reception room, which reflects the distinctive interior design taste of the house’s founder.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
1 Oct. 2025
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From the modernist, Black figuration of Kwami’s ceramics to Abban’s documentary portrayals of Ghanaian protest movements and architecture, these artists responded to the distinctive, pedestrian layers of postcolonial life.—
Edna Bonhomme,
Artforum,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Along the way, expect river views, a majestic fall color palette, and the occasional wildlife spotting.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Sep. 2025
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Shoppers have already started spotting Pumpkin Caramel Kringles in the weekly ALDI Finds section for $7, compared to the $10 price tag at Trader Joe’s, making this indulgent treat even more tempting to grab on your next grocery run.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distinguishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinguishing. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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