distances 1 of 2

noun

plural of distance
1
as in lengths
the space or amount of space between two points, lines, surfaces, or objects the distance between the earth and the sun is about 93 million miles

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in expanses
a wide space or area a region marked by great, featureless distances

Synonyms & Similar Words

distances

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of distance
1
as in retreats

Related Words

Dissimilar Words
2
as in ditches

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of distances
Noun
The was has been fought mostly from safe distances or through air attacks. — Luis Martinez, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026 Intelligence sharing with regional governments and NATO allies, along with advanced technology that allows surveillance from ever greater distances, could enable Washington to monitor threats. — Michael Fuchs, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2026 Smaller 50-centimeter markers remained detectable at distances of 250 meters. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Aug. 2026 Optical networking promises to allow data processing to move beyond the limitations of traditional copper wire connections, offering a method that is faster, more energy efficient, and that allows for data transmission over further distances. — Paxton Honerkamp, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026 The festival draws visitors from around the country, many of whom travel distances to attend. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026 And in liquids, distances between atoms tend to fall somewhere in between. — Robin MacAluso, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026 This number obviously decreases as planes are taking off and landing around airports, where air traffic controllers are able to maintain safe distances between flights. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026 Care will be in shorter supply, travel distances will stretch farther, and high-risk situations will more likely result in tragedy. — Keith Humphreys, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distances
  1. lengths
  2. expanses
  3. retreats
  4. ditches
  5. spacings
  6. expansions
  7. recedes
  8. deserts
Noun
  • In 2025, Journalism came closest, finishing second to Sovereignty by 1½ lengths at the Derby before winning in Baltimore.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Apply the mask from the mid-lengths to the ends and comb it through to ensure even coverage.
    — Anya Meyerowitz, Glamour, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of lengths
Noun
  • The swamp's prairies are vast, watery expanses dotted with floating islands and stands of cypress and other trees.
    — Drew Kann, AJC.com, 20 July 2026
  • The property makes the most of its secluded setting, where guests get to explore the wide expanses of desert and winding riverbeds without encountering other safari vehicles.
    — Rebekah Peppler, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2026
Definition of expanses
Verb
  • The mountain range is just a short distance from Balmoral, the Scottish castle and estate where the royal family annually retreats in late summer.
    — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026
  • The footage then appears to show the person attempting to kick the sea lion again as the animal retreats from its resting spot.
    — Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 27 July 2026
Definition of retreats
Verb
  • Our shortcut version also ditches the eggs for mayonnaise and adds in capers for extra briny punch.
    — Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 July 2026
  • Splatoon Raiders ditches the series' trademark, competitive multiplayer shooting, to focus entirely on single-player and co-operative raids.
    — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 23 July 2026
Definition of ditches
Noun
  • Several spacings and gaps were potential vermin entrances including spacing and gaps between floor boards, a vertical air gap along double front doors and on the ceiling above the ice cream chest freezer in the retail aisle.
    — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado Updated January 23, Sacbee.com, 23 Jan. 2026
  • More distant spacings will leave gaps in the bed.
    — Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2025
Definition of spacings
Noun
  • Billionaires buying up South Florida real estate, corporate expansions and a widening gulf between luxury and everyday home prices are changing Miami-Dade’s economic landscape.
    — Jeff Kleinman, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
  • Some of those projects, including improvements and expansions to bus routes are still in the design phase.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of expansions
Verb
  • The frontier of what needs a human recedes every quarter, and the companies that know exactly where the line sits have a real edge.
    — Michael Wee, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • But, even with the end so near, my thoughts turn ahead to preparations for another trip when the water recedes a bit.
    — Ralph Tuttle, Outdoor Life, 25 June 2026
Definition of recedes
Verb
  • And a $208 million Rural Health Transformation award now lets Arkansas confront the maternity care deserts the national conversation overlooks—because when the nearest delivery unit is an hour away, distance itself is a risk factor.
    — John Boozman, Time, 23 June 2026
  • Set against the backdrop of Burns’ native city of Liverpool, the drama revolves around a 17-year-old soldier who deserts his post during the Iraq war.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 19 May 2026
Definition of deserts

Browse Nearby Words

distanced
distances
distancing
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Distances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distances. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on distances

Nglish: Translation of distances for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of invidious

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All