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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 McCann and Kevin Faulconer have some distinct political similarities. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2025 Proud citizens of America must live in reality and speak the truth—for example, the truth that men and women are two distinct sexes. Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025 Indiana also legalized hemp in 2018 for industrial purposes, categorizing it as a legal agricultural product distinct from marijuana. Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 2 July 2025 While the divergence between the two is fair, its explanation lies elsewhere: Investor valuations and retail prices differ because they are driven by distinct fundamentals and considerations. Thibault Adrien, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for distinct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinct
Adjective
  • While it’s sometimes compared to Pilates, the two methods are very different.
    Amy Wilkinson, SELF, 1 July 2025
  • The reality of franchising can be - and in the vast majority of cases, is - very different indeed.
    Fiona Simpson, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • So now, many Mexicans and Mexican Americans are choosing to be seen in the loudest, most unmistakable way: by wearing their culture on their sleeves—literally.
    Daisy Maldonado, Vogue, 8 July 2025
  • The display of might outside was unmistakable, as was the soft power inside the building.
    Andrew J. Campa Follow, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2025
Adjective
  • This approach helps LLMs produce more accurate, contextually relevant, and up-to-date information, especially when dealing with specific domains or real-time data.
    Thomas Coughlin, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
  • And, maybe above all, hate the possible catalyst behind every decision — from slapping the window to finding the rock to going back to the bar to throwing it through that specific window.
    Jack Albright, jsonline.com, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • The Phoenix Financial Center, a distinctive office complex in central Phoenix, is slated for a major renovation.
    Corina Vanek, AZCentral.com, 7 July 2025
  • The response was immediate: many believed the artifact resembled the base of a Clovis point—a distinctive stone tool crafted by Paleoindian peoples more than 12,000 years ago.
    Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 7 July 2025
Adjective
  • The Back Roads and Byways of America No matter your destination, the back roads and byways of America are sure to showcase the diverse landscapes and cultural heritage of the United States.
    Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Launched in 1987, Street Fighter is a series of fighting games revolving around intense one-on-one battles between a diverse cast of martial artists, organized by M. Bison as a global fighting tournament.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • Consolidation by the end of the decade The future of other brands is less obvious, but consolidation among the mainstream brands is likely before the end of the decade.
    Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The harmful consequences to the economy and food supply is obvious.
    Billal Rahman Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • Castiglioni teased exclusive products are in the pipeline for the opening of the store, following in the footsteps of special drops the brand launches on its e-commerce, such as three recent iterations of a Plan C bag crafted from archival fabrications.
    Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 8 July 2025
  • Food trucks also are permitted at special events, like those held at downtown Festival Park, Mylott said.
    Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • At present, Greenland’s population is expected to fall below 50,000 by 2050, mostly due to outward migration and the low birth rates characteristic of most Western countries.
    Morten Høi Jensen, The Dial, 19 June 2025
  • The capsule continues to foreground the use of regionally characteristic materials such as jade, cinnabar, porcelain, and Asian cultural symbols like 玄武 (the Black Tortoise) and 青龙 (the Azure Dragon).
    Gemma A. Williams, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Distinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinct. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

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