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
High court justices and federal judges have made distinctions for settings that include children.
—
Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 23 Jan. 2026
The nation’s busiest port of entry celebrated that distinction for the 26th year in a row.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 23 Jan. 2026
One program long lived with the distinction of losing more games in the history of college football than anyone.
—Arkansas Online, 19 Jan. 2026
For travelers coming from colder climates, that distinction matters.
—Amber Love Bond, Southern Living, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for distinction
Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 23 Jan. 2026
The nation’s busiest port of entry celebrated that distinction for the 26th year in a row.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 23 Jan. 2026
One program long lived with the distinction of losing more games in the history of college football than anyone.
—Arkansas Online, 19 Jan. 2026
For travelers coming from colder climates, that distinction matters.
—Amber Love Bond, Southern Living, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for distinction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinction
Noun
-
Provide support and structure, and excellence becomes possible again.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Darnold endured more growing pains during his rookie season but also showed flashes of excellence, including throwing three touchdown passes in a duel with Aaron Rodgers during an overtime loss to the Green Bay Packers.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Cougars finished with four turnovers and held a 26-8 advantage in points in the paint.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Columbus blanked the Blackhawks on their two power-play chances, running their string of futility to 26 man-advantages and 10 games without a goal.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Her novels have won accolades from the New York Times, the American Booksellers Association, the American Library Association, and Junior Library Guild.—
Caroline Carlson,
Literary Hub,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Variety confirmed both accolades.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But the center re-established his dominance against the smaller Warriors on Monday, finishing with 15 points and 17 rebounds while serving as a significant deterrent on the defensive interior.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The English striker has set all kinds of scoring records in the German top division and has spearheaded a Bayern Munich team that is establishing a new level of dominance.—
Graham Ruthven,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Continue reading … ULTIMATE SACRIFICE – Staff sergeant's selfless battlefield sacrifice earns nation's highest military award.—
,
FOXNews.com,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Over the last several seasons of the Movies Fantasy League, the one thing that’s been more consistent than the movies, the awards, or Timmy Chalamet scoring a hit in December has been all you players coming up with some of the most clever, goofy, dumb, sometimes filthy names for your teams.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The buildup has robbed the Pentagon of the element of surprise, but that may not make a huge difference.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The meeting produced some optimism that a deal was within reach, but differences remain about who should give up more water if drought persists.—
Brandon Loomis,
AZCentral.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Interestingly, a 2023 study from the Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens demonstrates that dolphins can remember others’ signature whistles even after long periods of separation.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Nelsen told the jury Debe was still worried about Bob after their separation.—
Sarah Prior,
CBS News,
25 Jan. 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
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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 5 Feb. 2026.
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