DISTANCES Synonyms: 129 Similar and Opposite Words

distances 1 of 2

noun

plural of distance

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

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

as in retreats

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

Faster delivery could become the new expectation, especially for short distances. —

Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2026 Specifically, the Pentagon is worried about the huge distances involved in the Pacific, and near-peer defensive capabilities like anti-access/area denial should a conflict erupt. —

Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 9 May 2026 Fires there can release the radioactive materials stored in plants and animals, potentially over large distances if a blaze grows large enough. —

Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 8 May 2026 But tankers move through much smaller channels about two miles wide, distances that make boarding operations more difficult and dangerous, Parker said. —

Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 4 May 2026 Like Ando’s architecture, Turrell makes the kind of immersive, site-specific art people travel great distances for, and Benesse has commissioned several of the American artist’s works, the rest of which can be found at the Chichu Art Museum. —

Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 May 2026 The Beyer Speed Figure, which was invented by Washington Post columnist Andrew Beyer five decades ago, standardizes results across tracks and distances, usually resulting in scores from 100 to 110 for the very fastest horses. —

Peter Keating, New York Times, 1 May 2026 At distances of around 10 billion light-years, the luminosity distance differs by more than a factor of two from the naive prediction. —

Big Think, 1 May 2026 The commissioners wanted more time to re-evaluate setback distances between the tower and property lines, as well as to potentially address resident input on other locations that would be less visible or installing smaller towers in more locations. —

Elliot Mann, Twin Cities, 30 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for distances

Noun

Flowers dappled the mid-lengths, with a real ’70s feeling volume throughout.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 8 May 2026
The filmmaker’s choice to allow small details, like his mother spending a month’s salary for photos of her children (especially when the photos are somewhat mediocre), is a very effective way to highlight the lengths people go just to remember.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 7 May 2026