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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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 distinction
The Latin Music Educator Award is a new distinction, in partnership with the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation, that recognizes one exceptional educator from the global music community who is making a significant impact by incorporating Latin music into their curriculum.
—
Thania Garcia, Variety, 7 Aug. 2025
The song is credited to Zegler, the performer, and Webber, which is unusual, as composers don’t often earn that kind of distinction.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
TikTok aesthetics have blurred the lines of age distinctions, life milestones are being skipped over entirely, and a retail landscape that funnels everyone, regardless of age, into the same handful of stores has finished the job.
—Essence, 4 Aug. 2025
This distinction suggests some sort of compatibility issue.
—PC Magazine, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for distinction
Thania Garcia, Variety, 7 Aug. 2025
The song is credited to Zegler, the performer, and Webber, which is unusual, as composers don’t often earn that kind of distinction.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
TikTok aesthetics have blurred the lines of age distinctions, life milestones are being skipped over entirely, and a retail landscape that funnels everyone, regardless of age, into the same handful of stores has finished the job.
—Essence, 4 Aug. 2025
This distinction suggests some sort of compatibility issue.
—PC Magazine, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for distinction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinction
Noun
-
Just like in Formula One, great product teams know how to assemble excellence from across an ecosystem and focus their in-house muscle on what really moves the needle.—
Sal Rehmetullah,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Luke and his unit were honored with a challenge coin symbolizing leadership, excellence and service.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Do rules reflect actual AI usage patterns among teens? Equity Access: Can all students access the same AI tools, or do policies create advantages for families with premium subscriptions?—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025
-
The teams are ranked third and fourth in the Western Conference standings, with Minnesota holding a three-point advantage with 41 points.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
In 1896, Huestis’s career took off as her commercial illustrations began appearing in prominent magazines and, along with her colleague Ami Mali Hicks, winning accolades.—
Anne Halsey,
JSTOR Daily,
6 Aug. 2025
-
A lot of times these kinds of accomplishments and accolades are hard to process in the moment, because everything has been happening so fast.—
Frank DiGiacomo,
Billboard,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
In the open era, age records have gone down slightly, but still show player dominance past traditional peak years.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Paranoia is pure American, older than the Constitution—the northern states, for instance, denounced the three-fifths compromise as a Southern play for dominance.—
Book Marks
August 14,
Literary Hub,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Resolute Racing also stables Eclipse award winner Goodnight Olive, racehorse Just A Touch, and dozens more yearlings, foals and two year olds in training.—
Olivia Evans,
The Courier-Journal,
18 Aug. 2025
-
The show and Russell have picked up numerous awards nominations, including those for both Emmys and Golden Globes.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The trust fund used to make up the difference between what workers are paying in and what Social Security pays out in benefits is projected to run out of money in nine years.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Most polls show a couple of percentage points’ difference among them, with the preferences for each sitting near the 20% mark.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The separation is expected to be completed in the 2HFY26 and is intended to be tax-free for US federal income tax purposes.—
Joe Cornell,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Their separation served as the catalyst for Clarkson's 10th studio album, Chemistry, released in 2023.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share