Synonyms of distinguished

distinguished 1 of 2

adjective

di-ˈstiŋ-(g)wisht 

1

as in imposing

having or showing a formal and serious or reserved manner

heads turned as the well-dressed, distinguished couple strode through the hotel lobby

Synonyms & Similar Words

• imposing
• dignified
• solemn
• decorous
• aristocratic
• handsome
• staid
• elegant
• portly
• stately
• distingué
• august
• seemly
• proper
• sombre
• somber
• noble
• magisterial
• majestic
• sober
• grim
• grave
• po-faced
• lordly
• elevated

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• silly
• frivolous
• goofy
• giddy
• undignified
• improper
• coarse
• crude
• vulgar
• uncouth
• unseemly
• indecent
• flighty
• crass

2

as in outstanding

standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement

a distinguished astronomer who is widely respected in the field

Synonyms & Similar Words

• outstanding
• prestigious
• illustrious
• notable
• famous
• eminent
• noteworthy
• honored
• celebrated
• superior
• renowned
• bright
• noble
• luminous
• signal
• star
• redoubtable
• infamous
• famed
• preeminent
• glorious
• exalted
• reputable
• notorious
• dominant
• astral
• predominant
• paramount

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• minor
• insignificant
• unimportant
• average
• inferior
• mediocre
• obscure
• unsung
• uncelebrated

distinguished

2 of 2

verb

past tense of distinguish

1

as in differentiated

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

• differentiated
• discerned
• separated
• discriminated
• understood
• differenced
• secerned
• divided
• comprehended
• contradistinguished
• knew
• set off
• demarcated
• severed
• marked (off)
• grasped
• parted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confused
• mixed (up)
• mingled
• confounded
• mistook
• lumped (together)

2

as in characterized

to be an important feature of

a collection of recipes distinguished by their ease and simplicity

Synonyms & Similar Words

• characterized
• marked
• differentiated
• individualized
• customized
• particularized

3

as in identified

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

• identified
• found
• located
• pinpointed
• recognized
• fingered
• diagnosed
• determined
• singled (out)
• IDed
• investigated
• put one's finger on
• examined
• picked out
• checked
• disclosed
• ID'd
• discovered
• scrutinized
• spotted
• inspected
• noticed
• revealed
• observed
• placed
• betrayed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• concealed
• disguised
• camouflaged
• hid
• simulated
• feigned
• counterfeited
• shammed

4

as in noticed

to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes

could barely distinguish the garden gate through the mist

Synonyms & Similar Words

• noticed
• regarded
• spotted
• saw
• eyed
• remarked
• noted
• observed
• viewed
• discerned
• perceived
• looked (at)
• sighted
• beheld
• witnessed
• spied
• watched
• identified
• considered
• caught
• descried
• espied
• got a load of
• laid eyes on
• marked
• picked out
• set eyes on
• studied
• examined
• attended (to)
• scanned
• surveyed
• made out
• inspected
• scrutinized
• heeded
• glimpsed
• picked up
• glanced (at)
• minded
• peered (at)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignored
• neglected
• disregarded
• passed over
• missed
• overlooked
• overpassed

5

as in classified

to arrange or assign according to type

on the exam we were asked to distinguish the specimens by acidity

Synonyms & Similar Words

• classified
• ranked
• grouped
• relegated
• distributed
• separated
• graded
• recognized
• categorized
• placed
• typed
• identified
• listed
• classed
• sorted
• organized
• filed
• ranged
• codified
• assorted
• digested
• pegged
• referred
• compartmentalized
• compartmented
• ordered
• broke down
• cataloged
• alphabetized
• disposed
• catalogued
• culled
• marshalled
• systematized
• arrayed
• indexed
• drew up
• marshaled
• pigeonholed
• clustered
• winnowed
• reclassified
• sifted
• clumped
• shelved
• screened
• regrouped
• sieved
• set
• colligated
• subcategorized
• recategorized

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confused
• lumped
• scrambled
• mixed (up)
• jumbled
• disarranged
• misclassified
• mistyped
• missorted
• mis-sorted

Synonym Chooser

How is the word distinguished different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of distinguished are celebrated, eminent, famous, illustrious, noted, notorious, and renowned. While all these words mean "known far and wide," distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority.

a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

When is it sensible to use celebrated instead of distinguished?

The words celebrated and distinguished are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print.

the most celebrated beauty of her day

When could eminent be used to replace distinguished?

Although the words eminent and distinguished have much in common, eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character.

the country's most eminent writers

When can famous be used instead of distinguished?

The meanings of famous and distinguished largely overlap; however, famous implies little more than the fact of being, sometimes briefly, widely and popularly known.

a famous actress

When might illustrious be a better fit than distinguished?

While the synonyms illustrious and distinguished are close in meaning, illustrious stresses enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person.

illustrious war heroes

When would noted be a good substitute for distinguished?

In some situations, the words noted and distinguished are roughly equivalent. However, noted suggests well-deserved public attention.

the noted mystery writer

How do notorious and famous relate to one another, in the sense of distinguished?

Notorious frequently adds to famous an implication of questionableness or evil.

a notorious gangster

In what contexts can renowned take the place of distinguished?

While in some cases nearly identical to distinguished, renowned implies more glory and acclamation.

one of the most renowned figures in sports history

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of distinguished

Adjective

The appointment came after a distinguished career spanning more than two decades in government service, including senior roles in both the Obama and Biden administrations. —Dave Smith, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2025

Laurence Kotlikoff, a distinguished economist at Boston University, has devoted his career as a public finance expert to these intergenerational funding challenges. —Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 28 Sep. 2025

Verb

At the time of his father’s death, Henry was a student at Balliol College, Oxford; perhaps because of his difficult family circumstances, his academic record wasn’t distinguished. —Ben Yagoda, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025

Lai’s film is distinguished by a sensitive visual approach and a contemplative narrative style, conveying emotions with subtlety and precision. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 Sep. 2025