1
as in to differentiate
to understand or point out the difference in
even at such a young age, he could distinguish the calls of various birds
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to characterize
to be an important feature of
a collection of recipes distinguished by their ease and simplicity
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to identify
to find out or establish the identity of
learned at an early age to distinguish the sound of a piano in an orchestra
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to notice
to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes
could barely distinguish the garden gate through the mist
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to classify
to arrange or assign according to type
on the exam we were asked to distinguish the specimens by acidity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distinguish
The Lebanese Health Ministry put the death toll at 10, but did not distinguish between militants and civilians.
—
Fadi Tawil, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026
Under her direction, Pedram Law’s litigation division has distinguished itself by bringing order to complex disputes with discipline.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
The study also didn’t distinguish between the different types of tea consumed or how coffee was prepared, Gogol pointed out.
—Sarah Garone, Health, 20 Feb. 2026
Harvard was doing its job of distinguishing me from my parents.
—Lloyd Blankfein, Vanity Fair, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for distinguish
Fadi Tawil, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026
Under her direction, Pedram Law’s litigation division has distinguished itself by bringing order to complex disputes with discipline.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
The study also didn’t distinguish between the different types of tea consumed or how coffee was prepared, Gogol pointed out.
—Sarah Garone, Health, 20 Feb. 2026
Harvard was doing its job of distinguishing me from my parents.
—Lloyd Blankfein, Vanity Fair, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for distinguish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinguish
Verb
-
That’s what differentiates us from the commodity news and information that’s out there.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The case now revolves around the language restaurants use to differentiate between tips and service charges.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The mission requires the same dedication, urgency, and innovative spirit that characterized our nation’s greatest scientific achievements.—
David Szondy
February 21,
New Atlas,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Jurors in a landmark social media case that seeks to hold tech companies responsible for harms to children got their first glimpse into what will be a lengthy trial characterized by dueling narratives from the plaintiffs and the two remaining defendants, Meta and YouTube.—
Barbara Ortutay,
Fortune,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Buffalo police were reviewing footage throughout the city in an attempt to identify his movements.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Still, enough intact objects survived to identify the telltale designs.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Leaphorn then notices a radiator leak, and says that whoever sped off couldn't have gone far.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Of course, most of them have been too drunk to notice.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Labor Department published a rule Friday that would undo egregious attempts during the last administration to classify more workers as employees rather than independent contractors.—
Editorial Board,
Washington Post,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The funky-looking vehicle might be classified as the world’s most interesting, powerful, fastest, and quickest golf cart.—
Joel Feder,
The Drive,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Save the good wine for more discerning guests and put out the cheap whiskey.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Feb. 2026
-
InsureandGo set out to put some debate to rest by determining the world’s most authentic destinations for discerning travelers.—
Lydia Price,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Ukrainians, ever resilient, have found some ways to cope with the cold.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Worshippers arriving for the day's first prayers found the damage and a smoldering fire that spewed black smoke across the entrance of the Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq Mosque in the town of Tell, near Nablus, and stained the ornate doorway.—
AREF TUFAHA,
Arkansas Online,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Neighbors confirmed seeing local police and FBI agents at the home in the suburban community of Southwest Ranches.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Scream 7 sees the return of Campbell and many other franchise faves.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distinguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinguish. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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