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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 Rasmussen’s strategy is to lean into the company’s distinct ethos—faith, service, and financial stewardship—as a competitive advantage rather than a liability. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 23 June 2025 The imagery shows distinct changes in the ground’s appearance and gray dust near the potential strike locations. Agnes Chang, New York Times, 22 June 2025 Dunne’s latest footwear choice represents a distinct shift from the minimalist sandals she’s favored at recent public appearances. Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 22 June 2025 The tiles' faceplates also bore distinct initials, including those of Józef Lewicki. Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 21 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for distinct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinct
Adjective
  • Alaa’s family, campaigners, and parliamentarians are urging the UK government to take more concrete and decisive action—to deploy new and different tools, including amending FCDO travel advice for Egypt and considering sanctions on those responsible for Alaa’s unlawful incarceration.
    Margaret Busby June 20, Literary Hub, 20 June 2025
  • New research—focusing on books rather than newspaper articles and on different companies—provides surprising insights into this question.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • The pattern is unmistakable: just as Enron triggered SOX, AI governance failures will trigger mandatory expertise requirements.
    Steven Wolfe Pereira, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • The symbolism of the decision to target this base—the same one that U.S. President Donald Trump visited only two months ago during his tour of Gulf states, and one located in a country that maintains close ties to and shares an offshore gas field with Iran—is unmistakable.
    Dana Stroul, Foreign Affairs, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • By pinpointing specific areas where AI can make a quick impact, like root cause analysis, predictive maintenance or knowledge management, the value can be immediate while keeping the enterprise rollout manageable.
    Andreas Eschbach, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • Many are created in order to address a concern (dandruff, breakage, brittleness) or to work most effectively for a specific hair type (4C curls, wavy hair, gray hair).
    Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • Unlike compensation packages that competitors can readily replicate, values alignment creates a distinctive organizational signature that strongly resists imitation—genuine congruence between how leaders navigate complex decisions and how your organization operates daily.
    Tara Fitzpatrick-Navarro, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
  • There is very little on the menu that’s distinctive.
    Eric E. Harrison, Arkansas Online, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • His team supports both Ecolab’s 48,000 employees and a diverse global customer base, bringing together IT, digital product development and supply chain modernization under one strategic roof.
    Peter High, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
  • The firm’s name references Houston’s South Loop, which connects various historically diverse neighborhoods and is near the historically Black Third Ward, Beyoncé’s birthplace.
    Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 19 June 2025
Adjective
  • Such an obvious way to exhibit his egotistical personality.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 June 2025
  • But Cate mentioned obvious areas of interest such as housing, infrastructure, regulations, taxes and fees, trade and the overall cost of living.
    Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 June 2025
Adjective
  • That bond is what makes this so special every summer.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2025
  • How nice to learn about artisan producers from South America, especially when the wine is this special; to my tastes, this is world-class quality.
    Tom Hyland, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • Despite the French example, military parades with tanks rolling through the streets are more characteristic of dictatorships like China, Russia and North Korea.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 June 2025
  • Such irreversibility is characteristic of the flow of heat.
    George Musser, Quanta Magazine, 13 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Distinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinct. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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