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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective distinct contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of distinct are apparent, clear, evident, manifest, obvious, patent, and plain. While all these words mean "readily perceived or apprehended," distinct implies such sharpness of outline or definition that no unusual effort to see or hear or comprehend is required.

a distinct refusal

How do apparent and evident relate to one another, in the sense of distinct?

Apparent is very close to evident except that it may imply more conscious exercise of inference.

for no apparent reason

When is clear a more appropriate choice than distinct?

The synonyms clear and distinct are sometimes interchangeable, but clear implies an absence of anything that confuses the mind or obscures the pattern.

a clear explanation

When would evident be a good substitute for distinct?

In some situations, the words evident and distinct are roughly equivalent. However, evident implies presence of visible signs that lead one to a definite conclusion.

an evident fondness for sweets

When is it sensible to use manifest instead of distinct?

The words manifest and distinct can be used in similar contexts, but manifest implies an external display so evident that little or no inference is required.

manifest hostility

In what contexts can obvious take the place of distinct?

The words obvious and distinct are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, obvious implies such ease in discovering that it often suggests conspicuousness or little need for perspicacity in the observer.

the obvious solution

When could patent be used to replace distinct?

The meanings of patent and distinct largely overlap; however, patent applies to a cause, effect, or significant feature that is clear and unmistakable once attention has been directed to it.

patent defects

Where would plain be a reasonable alternative to distinct?

While in some cases nearly identical to distinct, plain suggests lack of intricacy, complexity, or elaboration.

her feelings about him are plain

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 distinct John Rose, chief risk adviser for ALTOUR, a global travel management company, said Anguilla’s ranking stems from several distinct advantages. Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025 Benefits of Almonds for Heart Health While combining dark chocolate and almonds has a positive impact on heart health, each food provides distinct cardioprotective qualities that contribute to these benefits. Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2025 The bad news is that, to date, there's no distinct biomarker for NCGS, with both zonulin (gut permeability) or inflammatory cytokine levels proving too inconsistent to be seen as reliable indicators. New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2025 Instead of one community, which might be described as democratic, there appear separate and distinct communities that must be described as totalitarian. Henry Freedland, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for distinct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinct
Adjective
  • This Epicka Universal Travel Adapter is a T+L favorite overall pick due to its four different plug types that are compatible with over 200 sockets worldwide and its ability to charge up to six devices at once.
    Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Both reflect and honor the evolving identity of the position, just in different ways.
    Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The production, the rhythm, the message and Langley’s unmistakable voice meld mightily to make this an irresistible track and further cement Langley as one of the genre’s brightest newcomers.
    Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Analyzing over 20 million AI shopping agent conversations revealed an unmistakable pattern.
    Fayez Mohamood, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Welcome to the ninth edition of The Alternative Premier League Table, where each Thursday, Anantaajith Raghuraman analyses the entire division through a specific lens.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Differences in specific genes may cause a person to metabolize caffeine quickly or slowly.
    Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • At a panel discussion at Carnegie Hall in 1999, Dohnányi got into a minor fracas with his esteemed colleague Pierre Boulez over the distinctive tone of French bassoons.
    Alex Ross, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2025
  • The country superstar will return to the distinctive venue for shows June 19-20, 24 and 26-27.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Regions of diverse dinosaurs The new study paints a portrait of two very different dinosaur communities divided between the north and south regions of the continent.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Today, the boardrooms of the nation’s largest companies have never been more diverse.
    Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • However, the severity of the storm soon became obvious.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
  • After curing the potatoes, pick through them once more and remove any potatoes with obvious signs of damage.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Swets, who has expertise with special-purpose acquisition companies (SPACs), formed Greenland Exploration with his investment and merchant banking firm, FG Nexus, and agreed to merge with March GL and find a suitable SPAC to take the company public.
    Jordan Blum, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
  • There were also special video messages from Wicked stars Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey and Michelle Yeoh.
    Brianne Tracy, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • While detecting the characteristic signature from these gravitational waves would be revolutionary, there’s no guarantee that’s possible.
    Big Think, Big Think, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Their flat sole, oval toe, and characteristic side stripes have won over seemingly everyone.
    Renata Joffre, Glamour, 19 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Distinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinct. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on distinct

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