DISTINGUISH Synonyms: 154 Similar and Opposite Words

distinguish

verb

di-ˈstiŋ-(g)wish

Definition of distinguish

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

as in to characterize

to be an important feature of a collection of recipes distinguished by their ease and simplicity

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to classify

to arrange or assign according to type on the exam we were asked to distinguish the specimens by acidity

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 distinguish But the tracking dashboards failed to distinguish between an employee not engaging with the technology, and someone on leave, the lawsuit claimed. — Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 15 July 2026 The group sought to distinguish Eärendil-1 from other satellites, which also unavoidably reflect some light and yet routinely receive FCC approval. — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 14 July 2026 And for Apple, running more capable AI directly on the iPhone could help the company improve Siri without abandoning the privacy and hardware integration that distinguish its products. — Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 14 July 2026 This creates an immediate sensing-to-action response, while each chamber operates independently to distinguish forces along horizontal, lateral, and vertical directions. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for distinguish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinguish

Verb

With multiple companies able to utilize general intelligence similarly, what will differentiate your firm from another will be the ability of your model to understand the work that needs to be done.

— TerDawn DeBoe, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Even with that favorable outlook, a recent Jefferies report found that many premium denim brands still struggle to differentiate themselves enough to encourage consumers to spend more.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 21 July 2026

Definition of differentiate

Verb

Nine-atom-wide armchair GNRs (9-AGNRs) were synthesized via a bottom-up on-surface approach, integrated into field-effect transistors (FETs), and characterized before and after exposure using Raman spectroscopy and electrical transport measurements.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 17 July 2026
Taco Bell characterized its decision as a precautionary measure taken out of an abundance of caution despite the absence of a formal government advisory directing such action.

— Gary Occhiogrosso, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of characterize

Verb

During the negotiations, authorities used drones to identify the trailer and make contact with the father, said Siskiyou County Sheriff Jeremiah LaRue.

— Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
One suspect, who was not identified by police, was arrested and booked at the Sacramento County Main Jail on suspicion of battery causing serious bodily harm, Triplett said.

— Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 18 July 2026

Definition of identify

Verb

In 2023, after a park visitor noticed a broken Fury 325 support beam, the coaster closed for six weeks that summer.

— Catherine Muccigrosso July 17, Charlotte Observer, 17 July 2026
The radiologist notices a small spot on the lung unrelated to the original reason for the exam and appropriately recommends follow-up.

— Demetri Giannikopoulos, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of notice

Verb

Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified it as a chronic disease in 1997.

— Torie Bosch, STAT, 18 July 2026
Broadnose sevengill sharks are considered aggressive when provoked and are classified as dangerous in both Australia and New Zealand, per the Institute.

— Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026

Definition of classify

Verb

The dots composing the words move up the screen while the rest of the pinpoints move downward, generating a visual opposition that the human mind can detect and discern.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 16 July 2026
Big Deal Investors are becoming more discerning about sustainable finance, focusing less on whether a bond carries a green or transition label and more on whether issuers can demonstrate a credible path to decarbonization.

— Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 16 July 2026

Definition of discern

Verb

In the underwater video, an adult female orca is seen holding onto a dead sharp-tail sunfish that the group had previously killed.

— Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 23 July 2026
If a complaint or case number is available under the tab, click on it and read through the document to see the disciplinary record.

— Ella Moore July 23, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026