DISTINCTIVE Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'distinctive' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of distinctive are characteristic , individual , and peculiar . While all these words mean "indicating a special quality or identity," distinctive indicates qualities distinguishing and uncommon and often superior or praiseworthy. // a distinctive aura of grace and elegance

Q: When could 'characteristic' be used to replace 'distinctive'?

The meanings of characteristic and distinctive largely overlap; however, characteristic applies to something that distinguishes or identifies a person or thing or class. // responded with her characteristic wit

Q: When might 'individual' be a better fit than 'distinctive'?

The words individual and distinctive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, individual stresses qualities that distinguish one from all other members of the same kind or class. // a highly individual writing style

Q: When is it sensible to use 'peculiar' instead of 'distinctive'?

While in some cases nearly identical to distinctive , peculiar applies to qualities possessed only by a particular individual or class or kind and stresses rarity or uniqueness. // an eccentricity that is peculiar to the British

distinctive

adjective

di-ˈstiŋ(k)-tiv

Definition of distinctive next

as in different

being not of the same kind she seems to alternate between two distinctive hairstyles

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in distinct

serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group the distinctive odor of a barnyard

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective distinctive contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of distinctive are characteristic, individual, and peculiar. While all these words mean "indicating a special quality or identity," distinctive indicates qualities distinguishing and uncommon and often superior or praiseworthy.

a distinctive aura of grace and elegance

When could characteristic be used to replace distinctive?

The meanings of characteristic and distinctive largely overlap; however, characteristic applies to something that distinguishes or identifies a person or thing or class.

responded with her characteristic wit

When might individual be a better fit than distinctive?

The words individual and distinctive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, individual stresses qualities that distinguish one from all other members of the same kind or class.

a highly individual writing style

When is it sensible to use peculiar instead of distinctive?

While in some cases nearly identical to distinctive, peculiar applies to qualities possessed only by a particular individual or class or kind and stresses rarity or uniqueness.

an eccentricity that is peculiar to the British

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of distinctive This leads to repeating bursts of starlight, which provide a clear and distinctive signature of a supermassive black-hole binary. —

Keith Cooper, Space.com, 24 Feb. 2026 The fabric is traditionally woven on narrow looms in Ghana's northern savannah and sewn into distinctive styles, with the regional identifiers visible in its stripe patterns and in the number of stitch lines. —

ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026 First, generative AI has flooded the internet with lower-quality content, paradoxically boosting the value of a distinctive human voice and sharp editorial judgment. —

Sydney Lake, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2026 The individual’s face is not seen due to the angle, though the person appears to have a distinctive gait. —

Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 23 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for distinctive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinctive

Adjective

The Eagles missed numerous three-point attempts, while Sierra Canyon was finding different players to contribute.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026
The Grand Hall's vineyard-style seating is arranged like clusters of grapes on different vines, meaning there’s no bad seat in the house.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026