1
as in excellence
exceptionally high quality
a shop selling native handicrafts of distinction
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in advantage
a quality that gives something special worth
has the distinction of being the oldest house in the city
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in accolade
public acknowledgment or admiration for an achievement
I did all of the work, and the other guy got all the distinction
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in dominance
the fact or state of being above others in rank or importance
a number of physicians of national distinction serve on the staff of the teaching hospital
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in award
something given in recognition of achievement
won a number of distinctions in her long career as an actress
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6
as in difference
the quality or state of being different
the distinction between the two photographic prints escapes me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in separation
the state of being kept distinct
the distinction between liberty and license is often violated in today's freewheeling society
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distinction
The part that feels especially Saturnian is that key distinction: moral qualities judged apart from intelligence, competence, or special talents.
—
Colin Bedell, Them., 28 May 2025
The relief was because the gelding’s distinction was a paddle foot.
—Louise Erdrich, New Yorker, 25 May 2025
That distinction, perhaps surprising to some, belongs to chicken burgers.
—Perri Ormont Blumberg, FOXNews.com, 24 May 2025
This distinction is more urgent than ever as AI makes surface-level content alarmingly easy to produce.
—Rhea Wessel, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for distinction
Colin Bedell, Them., 28 May 2025
The relief was because the gelding’s distinction was a paddle foot.
—Louise Erdrich, New Yorker, 25 May 2025
That distinction, perhaps surprising to some, belongs to chicken burgers.
—Perri Ormont Blumberg, FOXNews.com, 24 May 2025
This distinction is more urgent than ever as AI makes surface-level content alarmingly easy to produce.
—Rhea Wessel, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for distinction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinction
Noun
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Concurrently, operational excellence initiatives—things like leveraging Industry 4.0 technologies, analytics and process automation—are delivering unprecedented efficiency gains.—
Mustansir Paliwala,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
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Farhana has worked alongside Ollie to create a culture of ambition, collaboration and artistic excellence, enhancing Film4’s reputation as one of the most pioneering and dynamic teams in the business.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
3 June 2025
Noun
-
Sam Bennett, who scored twice in Florida’s Game 1 loss, capitalized on the man advantage with the game’s first goal.—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
7 June 2025
-
Even among guards, the ability for a taller player to see over the defense can be an advantage when making reads.—
Lev Akabas,
Sportico.com,
6 June 2025
Noun
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Filmed at the legendary actor's Malibu home, the video features footage of Van Dyke's many accolades and awards, sweet clips of him and his extended family, and emotional moments of reflection.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
27 May 2025
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Sporting some of the world’s highest difficulty on floor and beam, 2025 could be the year for Roberson to capture individual accolades.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
Noun
-
In the future, another language – or no language at all – might rise to dominance.—
Nicholas Green,
The Conversation,
3 June 2025
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Reliance on China China’s dominance in the global drug supply chain is part and parcel of its position as the world’s factory.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
3 June 2025
Noun
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The performance airs one night before the Great White Way's annual awards show.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
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The civil suit eventually came to include five defendants — all had been freshmen in fall 2021, except for Araiza, then a standout senior whose punting skills later led to a national collegiate award.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 June 2025
Noun
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One difference is that previous research, including a 2023 paper that Keeler coauthored, studied restrictive diets supervised by medical professional.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
3 June 2025
-
One big difference, however, from other Universal hotels at similar price points is Helios Grand guests do not get free Universal Express Unlimited passes to cut waits at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
3 June 2025
Noun
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The case to voters citywide: La Jolla must pay millions to San Diego in separation costs that, along with the city not having to spend money in La Jolla, can help cover the budget gap and improve services elsewhere.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 June 2025
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The Current will have at least five points of separation atop the league standings depending on the rest of the weekend’s results.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
7 June 2025
Noun
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Education was considered an individual pursuit marked by moral excellency and only the students who did the best in school would have proceeded to higher education.—
Sara Novak,
Discover Magazine,
12 Nov. 2024
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Education was considered an individual pursuit marked by moral excellency and only the students who did the best in school would have proceeded to higher education.—
Sara Novak,
Discover Magazine,
12 Nov. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Distinction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinction. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
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