distinguishes

present tense third-person singular of distinguish
1
as in differentiates
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in characterizes
to be an important feature of a collection of recipes distinguished by their ease and simplicity

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 distinguishes Designed for multi-cat households, this model introduces WasteID technology, which distinguishes between urine and feces for smarter cleaning cycles and behavior tracking. Kasey Caminiti, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025 At least, not an idea that at all distinguishes itself amid the film’s onslaught of tropes. Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2025 All of this with the romantic signature that distinguishes him. Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 17 Oct. 2025 And if our home prices and our rents are so high that those people cannot afford to live here, then what distinguishes us from Jupiter Beach or Stuart or Naples? Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2025 But what truly distinguishes the book is its personal nature. Maggie Doherty, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025 This line distinguishes volcanic islands by their structure and the composition of their lava. Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025 What distinguishes us is our meticulous work regarding every segment of the industry. Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 30 Sep. 2025 The technology identifies flight paths, distinguishes between real warheads and decoys, and provides information to guide interception systems. Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinguishes
Verb
  • The shoe differentiates itself with a half d’Orsay design that reveals the side of the foot and a curvaceous outline that adds subtle undulation to the silhouette; a stitched band is also featured across the toe.
    Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
  • This emerging genre of politician touts an anti-establishment, anti-oligarchy lens which differentiates them from their establishment Democratic peers and opponents.
    Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Protest organizers have trained thousands in de-escalation techniques and have promised the day will be safe, even as political rhetoric characterizes demonstrators as being aligned with terrorist forces.
    Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
  • The White House regularly characterizes undocumented immigrants as drivers of urban lawlessness, even though the data show that is not true.
    Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • After Martin, who identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, discussed their childhood friend's experience, Barrymore detailed her own time in rehab.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The graphic above also identifies the end of last season as another period when Liverpool fell below par.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • During the clip, the owner notices a large chunk has been ripped (or bitten) out of the flooring, and there’s only one suspect hovering around nearby.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Joel notices it repeatedly—in his father’s possessions, in notes, and even in visions—signifying both imbalance and a recurring pattern in the Lazarus family.
    Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Aid organizations say the reasoning appears to be used to refer to a wide variety of comments the Israeli government classifies as antisemitic.
    Jane Arraf, NPR, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Sabato's Crystal Ball also classifies the race as Leans Republican.
    Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Rest is Football is part of a recent trend in football coverage which sees ex-players turned pundits — such as Gary Neville, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards — being very open about their continuing allegiances to former clubs.
    Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The new real estate series sees the Scott twins help wary buyers grapple with commitment issues to possibly make the biggest purchase of their lives.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • By stopping in 1957, the retelling falsely relegates educational inequality to the past.
    Time, Time, 4 Sep. 2025
  • But that’s not true of the Echo Show, which smartly relegates the screen to secondary importance.
    Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, The Verge, 22 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Take the quiz here … SECONDHAND SECRETS – Bargain hunter spots potential medieval treasures at thrift shop for $30.
    , FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2025
  • On his daily jog, Donald spots Lee heading to his car, stopping to scratch his back on the flagstone façade of Donald’s mistress’s house, right on schedule.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Distinguishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinguishes. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

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