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
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 distinctions
Nortin Hadler, an emeritus professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina, told me that the issue extends far beyond subtle distinctions.
—
Jason Liebowitz, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026
But Cuban authorities still make legal distinctions between Cubans who have permanent residence on the island and those who don’t.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
One of the most important distinctions in HS care is understanding what triggers can—and can’t—do.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 11 May 2026
Deportation cases often hinge on technical distinctions in federal law, and outcomes can vary widely based on past convictions and timing.
—Hanna Park, CNN Money, 10 May 2026
The practical lesson for policymakers is to keep two distinctions in mind.
—James Broughel, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
This entry provides an overview of ethics in media and then explores ethical decision-making, codes of ethics in media professions, distinctions between the law and ethics, and issues related to social responsibility, minimizing harm, and promoting truth and justice.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 May 2026
School Board member Matthew Jay Lane made the motion to side with the union, saying teachers are a big part of why the Palm Beach County School District has received distinctions of being A-rated and academically high-performing by the state.
—Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2026
Among its many distinctions, SPLC is known for bankrupting the Ku Klux Klan.
—Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Jason Liebowitz, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026
But Cuban authorities still make legal distinctions between Cubans who have permanent residence on the island and those who don’t.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
One of the most important distinctions in HS care is understanding what triggers can—and can’t—do.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 11 May 2026
Deportation cases often hinge on technical distinctions in federal law, and outcomes can vary widely based on past convictions and timing.
—Hanna Park, CNN Money, 10 May 2026
The practical lesson for policymakers is to keep two distinctions in mind.
—James Broughel, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
This entry provides an overview of ethics in media and then explores ethical decision-making, codes of ethics in media professions, distinctions between the law and ethics, and issues related to social responsibility, minimizing harm, and promoting truth and justice.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 May 2026
School Board member Matthew Jay Lane made the motion to side with the union, saying teachers are a big part of why the Palm Beach County School District has received distinctions of being A-rated and academically high-performing by the state.
—Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2026
Among its many distinctions, SPLC is known for bankrupting the Ku Klux Klan.
—Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinctions
Noun
-
Winning the margins Although the Sky’s win was anchored by double-doubles from Cardoso (22 points and 14 rebounds) and Diggins (21 and 11), the game ultimately was won by their ability to maximize advantages at the rim.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2026
-
Evaluate all three carefully before getting started and consider, too, the advantages of splitting a deposit of this size amid two or even all of these account types now.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
But Attenborough has had to accept the accolades this week as scientists, politicians and conservationists celebrated the man who has brought frolicking gorillas, breaching whales and tiny poisonous frogs into living rooms around the world for more than 70 years.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 May 2026
-
Old race photos, accolades and team pictures once placed him among the nation's top riders.—
Ray Campos,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Throughout the evening, honorees including Charles Melton, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Jet Li and Simu Liu took the stage to accept awards for their efforts to improve representation in Hollywood.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
-
Although the juror will make the final selections for what’s in the show and who gets awards, Jarvis will render his opinion if asked.—
Melinda Moore,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Choose to act from one aspect of your values, character, essence, or virtues.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
4 May 2026
-
During a March school board meeting, Nicky Smit — a staff member at Sandburg High School — extolled the virtues of foreign language learning and pressed the district to add Arabic language courses.—
Angie Leventis Lourgos,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
Romanticize the Dive, Metric’s tenth album, looks backwards in an attempt to recapture those old glories.—
Ethan Beck,
Pitchfork,
4 May 2026
-
Fascism spins the greatest fictions of all time—about race, about origins, about past and future glories—and people eat them up.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Also supported are arts funders including the Cleveland Arts Prize, which, in turn, doles out annual $10,000 prizes to visual artists as well as writers, musicians, dancers, and other creatives.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
12 May 2026
-
The prizes were trips to faraway places.—
Francesco Pacifico,
The Dial,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Pichai carries strong values into his work—economic uplift, compassion for migrants—and says his quest is to build useful things for as many people as possible.—
Andrew R. Chow,
Time,
6 May 2026
-
And his values had been incubated in an earlier era.—
David Folkenflik,
NPR,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Last year’s performance led the Cougars defense and earned him second-team All-Big 12 honors.—
Nate Atkins,
New York Times,
6 May 2026
-
Booysen, a streamer and author from South Africa who holds an undergraduate degree in law, honors degree in psychology, and a master’s in neuropsychology, often travels with Donaldson on overseas trips while working remotely as a neuroscience researcher.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distinctions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinctions. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
