distinguished 1 of 2

Definition of distinguishednext

distinguished

2 of 2

verb

past tense of distinguish
1
2
as in characterized
to be an important feature of a collection of recipes distinguished by their ease and simplicity

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4
5

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

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 distinguished
Adjective
In 2014, he was selected to receive a lifetime achievement award for distinguished achievement in television direction from the Directors Guild of America. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 19 June 2026 The venue has a distinguished history of golf brutality. Justin Ray, New York Times, 17 June 2026
Verb
Meanwhile, the Telford loafer, is distinguished by its refined apron stitching, which brings a subtle sense of originality to the upper. Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 20 June 2026 No doubt the Cady of this Cape Fear has the intelligence to try the same tactics, but one of the major ways the TV adaptation has distinguished itself from the movies — and has, finally, gotten itself into a groove — is that Cady has worked to ingratiate himself with the Bowdens. Scott Tobias, Vulture, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for distinguished
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinguished
Adjective
  • The source of Soloviev’s angst lay in part in growing up with a father who was one of the more imposing, cantankerous figures in the history of New York real estate — a demographic with stiff competition.
    Reeves Wiedeman, Curbed, 22 June 2026
  • There’s Chateau de Fère and Les Crayères, which is very imposing and old-fashioned; a couple of very nice funky little boutique hotels (including one owned by the Selosse family who make amazing, and amazingly priced, grower Champagne) and lots of good chambres d'hôtes.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
Adjective
  • Watson was always known for incredibly quick hands and outstanding bat speed.
    Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • Another outstanding rug in the lineup this week is this easy-to-clean jute number from Joon Loloi at 60% off.
    Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • Many MSPs are healthy enough to avoid immediate urgency but not yet differentiated enough to see what is changing around them.
    Chris Day, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
  • The wrap varieties are differentiated by the sauce, which comes in classic, spicy, or blackened Ranch flavors.
    Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026
Verb
  • Stark White The past few years have been characterized by warm, off-white tones, and in 2026, designers agree that this trend is not set to change.
    Cori Sears, The Spruce, 21 June 2026
  • The lands historically now known as Ukraine were occupied by the Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth for centuries, and many Ukrainians view their nation’s genesis as the rebellion of Cossack Hetman Boghdan Khmelnitsky against the commonwealth, an event characterized by massacres of Poles and Jews.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 20 June 2026
Verb
  • Researchers identified large carbon-bearing molecules inside two mudstone samples collected in Jezero Crater, an area believed to have hosted a lake billions of years ago.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 25 June 2026
  • In another instance, investigators identified a gray button on a test-taker's shirt as a concealed camera.
    Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • Sharp-eyed court watchers also noticed that Sotomayor listed $4,333 in gifted concert tickets from Rimas Entertainment.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 30 June 2026
  • Those who noticed the earthquake are encouraged to report it through the USGS Felt Report form.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • This case has now been classified as inactive.
    Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 24 June 2026
  • The project has been classified as a top priority by Zuckerberg and is just one of the many apps the company is reportedly developing in response to emerging trends.
    Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 24 June 2026
Adjective
  • Right to dignified work and fair income Can people find work?
    Stephen Bagwell, The Conversation, 26 June 2026
  • Days are spent strengthening infection prevention and control, improving laboratory capacity, training health care workers, tracing contacts, meeting with community leaders, supporting safe and dignified burials, and working alongside ministries of health and international partners.
    Krutika Kuppalli, STAT, 26 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Distinguished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinguished. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on distinguished

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster