distinction

noun

di-ˈstiŋ(k)-shən How to pronounce distinction (audio)
Definition of distinctionnext
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 There’s also a distinction between the impact of blocking the transaction altogether and only modifying the merger as part of a settlement, and that’s where things could get interesting. — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 14 July 2026 For CEOs, policymakers, and investors, that distinction matters. — Katica Roy, Fortune, 14 July 2026 Chiware draws a similar distinction, particularly when symptoms begin to alter behavior. — Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 14 July 2026 That distinction of dishonor is still held by Snow White ($42 million). — Chris Lee, Vulture, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for distinction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinction
  1. excellence
  2. advantage
  3. accolade
  4. dominance
  5. award
  6. difference
  7. separation
  8. excellency
Noun
  • The recognitions go beyond athletics, highlighting athletes for academic excellence and community impact.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026
  • And ultimately, it is defined by our ability to bring that excellence to more people, in more communities, without asking them to travel farther from home.
    — Pradeep Khosla, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 July 2026
Definition of excellence
Noun
  • While Spain looks primed to defend their crown with a young core and home-field advantage, the race to lift the World Cup in 2030 has almost four years to now take shape.
    — Dean Jones, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • With warm Southern weather stretching way beyond Labor Day, this is actually the perfect time to take advantage, with lots of days on the porch still left.
    — Sarah Scott, Southern Living, 19 July 2026
Definition of advantage
Noun
  • Despite any accolades that may have come, the environment for an independent artist seemed gloomier than ever.
    — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 17 July 2026
  • Fifty years later the wines are still delicious and garnering accolades and awards.
    — Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 17 July 2026
Definition of accolade
Noun
  • The move comes as many American apparel and footwear firms work to diversify away from China and the regional supply chain that both feeds upon the capabilities and supports the dominance of the sourcing superpower.
    — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 17 July 2026
  • Chinese leader Xi Jinping cast Beijing as the leader of a new AI global order, vowing to challenge US dominance of the sector through the release of open-source models.
    — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of dominance
Noun
  • Carpenter is a co-founder and the CEO of Embarc, the cannabis dispensary company that has sponsored the fair’s cannabis awards and exhibit for the last five years.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 19 July 2026
  • Between the new awards structure, the live broadcast plans, and a Disability Advisory Committee with authority over how the event takes shape.
    — Keely Cat-Wells, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
Definition of award
Noun
  • Yes, even these guys are obviously mature for their ages, there’s a pretty significant difference just in terms of frame, body weight.
    — Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
  • But Scheft and his team are mastering the subtle differences and plan to offer many of the same loaves available in Boston, though the bakeries will have a few different offerings.
    — Connie Ogle July 17, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
Definition of difference
Noun
  • The traditional route through the middle of Hormuz, known as the traffic separation scheme, remains too dangerous for ships to use due to the threat of mines, Larsen said.
    — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 17 July 2026
  • Beyond military missions Military operators could use the software to distinguish routine orbital activity from potentially suspicious behavior, including satellite maneuvers, separation events, and close-proximity operations.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 July 2026
Definition of separation
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
  • Zurich said the Game Changer Award pays tribute to excellency in the film business with a focus on leaders that not only cherish change and forward-thinking approaches in the business, but also stand for the DNA of what cinema has represented since its invention.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2024
Definition of excellency

Browse Nearby Words

distinct
distinction
distinctions
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Distinction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinction. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on distinction

Nglish: Translation of distinction for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of raffish

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
child-detective
Spot the Misspelled Word July 2026 Those little red underlines can't help you now...
See All