Synonyms of distinction

distinction

noun

di-ˈstiŋ(k)-shən 

1

as in excellence

exceptionally high quality

a shop selling native handicrafts of distinction

Synonyms & Similar Words

• excellence
• excellency
• superiority
• importance
• greatness
• choiceness
• perfection
• primeness
• preeminence
• supremacy
• superbness
• first-rateness
• impeccability
• value
• perfectness
• faultlessness
• flawlessness
• goodness
• notability
• worth
• consequence

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inferiority
• badness
• mediocrity
• ordinariness
• worthlessness
• averageness
• crumminess

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

• advantage
• value
• merit
• virtue
• excellence
• grace
• excellency
• cardinal virtue
• superiority
• plus
• edge

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deficiency
• defect
• failing
• fault
• flaw
• demerit
• blemish
• drawback
• disvalue
• negative
• minus

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

• accolade
• glory
• applause
• honor
• acclaim
• credit
• praise
• commendation
• homage
• fame
• kudos
• laud
• ovation
• laurels
• props
• sun
• repute
• tribute
• renown
• bay(s)
• réclame
• celebrity
• compliment
• plaudit
• encomium
• recommendation
• toast
• panegyric
• citation
• eulogy
• acclamation
• rave
• elevation
• exaltation
• rhapsody
• enshrinement
• glorification
• note
• enthronement
• kudo

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

• dominance
• superiority
• reputation
• repute
• supremacy
• primacy
• transcendence
• renown
• eminence
• preponderance
• influence
• preeminence
• noteworthiness
• prepotency
• domination
• paramountcy
• preponderancy
• prestigiousness
• honor
• fame
• celebrity
• notoriety
• prestige
• kudos
• glory
• power
• greatness
• nobleness
• ascendancy
• famousness
• dominion
• stardom
• ascendance
• notableness
• authority
• illustriousness
• infamy
• weight
• superstardom
• megastardom

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• insignificance
• inferiority
• mediocrity
• obscurity
• obscureness

5

as in award

something given in recognition of achievement

won a number of distinctions in her long career as an actress

Synonyms & Similar Words

• award
• prize
• accolade
• honor
• trophy
• premium
• decoration
• medal
• plume
• blue ribbon
• badge
• kudo
• applause
• ribbon
• cup
• plate
• plaque
• tribute
• crown
• commendation
• laurel
• encomium
• homage
• citation
• compliment
• panegyric
• eulogy
• paean
• order
• plaudit
• honorable mention
• hallelujah
• bravo

6

as in difference

the quality or state of being different

the distinction between the two photographic prints escapes me

Synonyms & Similar Words

• difference
• distinctiveness
• distinctness
• contrast
• diversity
• discrepancy
• disparity
• dissimilarity
• disagreement
• diverseness
• distance
• divergence
• unlikeness
• dissimilitude
• otherness
• variation
• disparateness
• modification
• variability
• deviance
• dichotomy
• change
• distinguishability
• imbalance
• differentiability
• variance
• friction
• incongruity
• discord
• inequality
• dissent
• disproportion
• incongruence
• incompatibility
• disunity
• discordance
• conflict
• dissension
• strife
• nonconformity
• discriminability
• dissidence
• incongruousness
• anomalousness
• nonequivalence

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• similarity
• resemblance
• community
• analogy
• likeness
• identity
• sameness
• agreement
• accordance
• correspondence
• conformity
• parallelism
• equality
• congruity
• equivalence
• alikeness
• similitude
• analogousness
• equivalency
• identicalness
• uniformity
• homogeneity
• homogeneousness

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

• separation
• discrimination
• differentiation
• demarcation
• discreteness
• segregation
• isolation

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confusion
• blurring

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of distinction

Most importantly, leaders should preserve a clear distinction between technological assistance and institutional authority. — Ekramy El Zaghat, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026

However, the distinction between mild and more severe symptoms sometimes gets lost. — Andrew McLean, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026

That distinction gives the feature a clearer role without turning it into an exaggerated promise. — Matt Emma, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026

Howard, who learned about the initiative after previously working with Peterson at Juneteenth and First Friday events, said that distinction matters particularly for artists trying to turn their work into a profession. — Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2026