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
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Recent Examples of distinction
The Great American Revolution made history in 1976 as the world’s first modern looping coaster, a distinction that led American Coaster Enthusiasts to recognize the ride as a landmark coaster.
—
Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
That distinction is now the dividing line between climate investments that will move forward and those that will stall.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 4 May 2026
This is a very important distinction.
—Thomas L. Friedman, Mercury News, 4 May 2026
Here, a change in the size and shape of the patio pavers marks the distinction between the more formal outdoor dining space and the casual firepit area.
—Marisa Donnelly, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for distinction
Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
That distinction is now the dividing line between climate investments that will move forward and those that will stall.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 4 May 2026
This is a very important distinction.
—Thomas L. Friedman, Mercury News, 4 May 2026
Here, a change in the size and shape of the patio pavers marks the distinction between the more formal outdoor dining space and the casual firepit area.
—Marisa Donnelly, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for distinction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinction
Noun
-
The Elegoo Jupiter 2 3D printer shows flashes of excellence with its massive build volume and striking print quality, but uneven automation, confusing UI menus, and a still-maturing workflow limit its appeal.—
Michael Lydick,
PC Magazine,
2 May 2026
-
This line is forged and finished by the same team behind his other lines, delivering a similar level of excellence.—
Jesse Raub,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
The 76ers led by as many as 15 in the quarter and carried a 32-19 advantage into the second quarter.—
Kyle Hightower,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
-
American Heritage-Delray jumped out to a 7-0 lead at the end of the first, had a 12-0 advantage at halftime and a 17-0 lead entering the fourth.—
Alex Kushel,
Sun Sentinel,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
The teams will be eyeing more accolades at USRowing Southeast Youth Championships next weekend in Sarasota.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 May 2026
-
Her novels have won accolades from the New York Times, the American Booksellers Association, the American Library Association, and Junior Library Guild.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
On almost any other night, being without Town’s playmaking or Robinson’s rim protection and rebounding dominance would tank the Knicks.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
-
Scaling up for ‘energy dominance’ Apart from becoming the preeminent pipeline player, Enbridge is the fourth-largest Canadian company by market cap, trailing Shopify.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
The Catholic Charities received $11 million from HHS in fiscal year 2025, according to federal spending data, but the award ended as of March 31.—
Sarah Perkel,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
However, federal law requires that judges review arbitration awards with a high degree of deference and should only vacate them if there’s an extraordinary defect, such as the award was procured by fraud or the arbitrator failed to consider relevant evidence or follow basic legal principles.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Perry, with the Green Burial Council, said he’s often asked whether the way a person chooses to be disposed of after death makes much of a difference in their environmental footprint.—
Dorany Pineda,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
-
But the primary difference is Wembanyama.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
The former couple announced their separation in August 2023.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
5 May 2026
-
In Church’s day, that separation depended on promoting a robust idea of American innocence over Europe’s enfeebling corruption.—
Sebastian Smee,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
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
Cite this Entry
“Distinction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinction. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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