1
as in advantages
a quality that gives something special worth
has the distinction of being the oldest house in the city
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in accolades
public acknowledgment or admiration for an achievement
I did all of the work, and the other guy got all the distinction
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in awards
something given in recognition of achievement
won a number of distinctions in her long career as an actress
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distinctions
Understanding these distinctions can help set realistic expectations before applying for tax relief.
—
Deane Biermeier, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
Thematically, there are some parallels between this project and Dosa’s Fire of Love, and notable distinctions.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026
Despite those distinctions, the candidates share broad agreement on many issues.
—Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
Even small distinctions between worlds can change evolutionary outcomes a lot.
—Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 15 Mar. 2026
Those distinctions matter when wildlife managers weigh the risks of placing an animal into a new environment, even when the species name matches.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
The backstory Fufu Tokyo Ginza is the first urban property from Fufu Japan, a brand known for intimate onsen retreats in quieter corners of the country, seven of which hold Michelin Key distinctions.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Mar. 2026
Specifically, the study found the PATM patients emitted more petrochemicals, organosulfur compounds, and some aldehydes (including 39 times the normal amount of toluene, a chemical found in crude oil), among other distinctions—findings published in the scholarly journal Scientific Reports in 2023.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 6 Mar. 2026
Who can decide when a country goes to war is one of the crucial distinctions between a republic and a monarchy.
—Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2026
Deane Biermeier, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
Thematically, there are some parallels between this project and Dosa’s Fire of Love, and notable distinctions.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026
Despite those distinctions, the candidates share broad agreement on many issues.
—Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
Even small distinctions between worlds can change evolutionary outcomes a lot.
—Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 15 Mar. 2026
Those distinctions matter when wildlife managers weigh the risks of placing an animal into a new environment, even when the species name matches.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
The backstory Fufu Tokyo Ginza is the first urban property from Fufu Japan, a brand known for intimate onsen retreats in quieter corners of the country, seven of which hold Michelin Key distinctions.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Mar. 2026
Specifically, the study found the PATM patients emitted more petrochemicals, organosulfur compounds, and some aldehydes (including 39 times the normal amount of toluene, a chemical found in crude oil), among other distinctions—findings published in the scholarly journal Scientific Reports in 2023.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 6 Mar. 2026
Who can decide when a country goes to war is one of the crucial distinctions between a republic and a monarchy.
—Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinctions
Noun
-
Although plants are sometimes selected and bred for darker foliage solely for ornamental purposes, there are distinct physiological advantages to plants that have it.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Despite their advantages, these systems raise important concerns.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Machado went on to enjoy a long career in avant-garde theater, garnering accolades for his striking and magnetic stage presence, despite his modest claims otherwise.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The three-time MVP cannot miss two more games, or he’ll be disqualified for individual accolades such as MVP and All-NBA teams.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The pool won't win awards for its size or view, but the fragrance from the nearby frangipani trees and cool water is a welcome relief from the hot temperatures.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
At the International Skating Union's end-of-year awards, all of the top skaters from the World Championships attended, taking photos on the red carpet before heading into the venue to see who would win awards at the ceremony.—
Tyler Erzberger,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
To Trump, fluidity and inconsistency are virtues, not bugs.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Critics insist there isn’t a verifiable way to ensure that buyers receive what the labels promise, creating room for inauthentic claims that inflate the environmental virtues of certain products.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
China’s past glories may be recast as part of an extended narrative of dominance, and America’s eight-decade reign may come to be regarded as a mere blip.—
Ross Andersen,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The showstopper was a two-and-a-half-pound horsehair crab, one of the glories of Hokkaido's coastal waters, presented whole and then steamed and shelled.—
Alex Halberstadt,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In no event will Sponsor be responsible for awarding more than the number of prizes specified in these rules.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Fans can visit the booth to tackle a larger-than-life edition of the puzzle, with a chance to win special prizes.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
These platforms must forge collaborative networks that mutually reinforce one another and establish a rigorous framework that makes the cultural values of the biennial format legible, tangible, and palpable to various segments of society in the immediate locale and across the continent.—
Smooth Nzewi,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Our alt data is also supportive given moderating pressures in range resale values and strong special vehicles’ appreciation.—
Michael Bloom,
CNBC,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In addition, three Sandburg students earned top individual honors as All-SWSC Leaders.—
Melinda Moore,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Screenplay competition honors include the AMC One-Hour Pilot Award, The Donners’ Company Screenwriting Award, Enderby Entertainment Award and the Roadmap Writers Representation Fellowship, among others spanning comedy, animation and genre storytelling.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distinctions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinctions. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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