as in characteristic
serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group
a novice birder still learning the distinguishing features of various finches
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in differentiating
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in characterizing
to be an important feature of
a collection of recipes distinguished by their ease and simplicity
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in identifying
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 noticing
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 classifying
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 distinguishing
Kathryn Romeyn, Architectural Digest, 9 Mar. 2026
Every building has distinguishing characteristics.
—Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 7 Mar. 2026
This, in turn, can lead to overeating, as well as difficulty distinguishing between hunger and fullness cues—essential skills in budding eaters.
—Sally Kuzemchak, Parents, 7 Mar. 2026
But OpenAI can’t weigh in on individual use cases for its technology, Altman said, such as distinguishing which specific military operations might be considered good or bad.
—Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 2026
Tracing the evolution of storytelling from hunter-gatherer campfires and medieval printing presses to VR and AI, Ashton identifies a number of developments that can be expected to carry on into the future, among them the increasing difficulty of distinguishing fact from fiction.
—Tim Brinkhof, Big Think, 3 Mar. 2026
Dental records were checked, but there were few distinguishing features to be compared.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
Authorities asked anyone who recognizes the clothing worn by the individual, or who can identify any distinguishing characteristics, including the person’s gait, to call the Major Crimes Division at 240-773- 5070 or Crime Solvers of Montgomery County.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 23 Feb. 2026
Harvard was doing its job of distinguishing me from my parents.
—Lloyd Blankfein, Vanity Fair, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
But other bolt-holes stand out for giving the beds themselves extra attention, distinguishing them in some particularly charming or even surreal way (see beds carved out of literal ice).
—Kathryn Romeyn, Architectural Digest, 9 Mar. 2026
Every building has distinguishing characteristics.
—Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 7 Mar. 2026
This, in turn, can lead to overeating, as well as difficulty distinguishing between hunger and fullness cues—essential skills in budding eaters.
—Sally Kuzemchak, Parents, 7 Mar. 2026
But OpenAI can’t weigh in on individual use cases for its technology, Altman said, such as distinguishing which specific military operations might be considered good or bad.
—Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 2026
Tracing the evolution of storytelling from hunter-gatherer campfires and medieval printing presses to VR and AI, Ashton identifies a number of developments that can be expected to carry on into the future, among them the increasing difficulty of distinguishing fact from fiction.
—Tim Brinkhof, Big Think, 3 Mar. 2026
Dental records were checked, but there were few distinguishing features to be compared.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
Authorities asked anyone who recognizes the clothing worn by the individual, or who can identify any distinguishing characteristics, including the person’s gait, to call the Major Crimes Division at 240-773- 5070 or Crime Solvers of Montgomery County.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 23 Feb. 2026
Harvard was doing its job of distinguishing me from my parents.
—Lloyd Blankfein, Vanity Fair, 19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinguishing
Adjective
-
But Israelis have managed to endure even the latest unpleasantness with characteristic resilience.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
-
There are some of the director’s characteristic flourishes along the way, and the tone is set early; thumping Kasabian track ‘Days Are Forgotten’ plays in the opening credits, leading into a prison-yard fight moments into the first episode.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In fact, my emphasis on feeling good about him off the field, or any of those issues, has to do with me not differentiating him from any of the top players.—
SportsDay Staff,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Younger students learned how produce is grown and practiced differentiating between fruits and vegetables before getting a chance to pick from a variety of items to take home at no cost.—
Del Mar Times,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Film actor Timothée Chalamet recently sparked controversy in the performing arts world by characterizing ballet and opera as dying art forms — not a novel sentiment, of course, but rather the latest foray into an ongoing debate.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Rout has spent decades characterizing yeast pore complexes.—
Yasemin Saplakoglu,
Quanta Magazine,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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However, identifying the problem was only the first step.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Children begin identifying what works best for them.—
Reem Raouda,
CNBC,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Linas, a runner, started the Creek Team OC Instagram account after noticing changes on his runs along San Juan and Trabuco creeks, where lush green reeds suddenly turned brown and lifeless.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Hadel proceeds to handcuff Brown behind his back before noticing wounds on his head producing a steady stream of blood onto the road below.—
Mathew Schumer,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The industry says classifying EWA as a loan could have the perverse effect of sending consumers back to higher-cost, risky alternatives such as payday loans or pawn shops by imposing unnecessary restrictions, such as mandatory fees, interest charges and credit reporting requirements.—
Cheryl Winokur Munk,
CNBC,
27 Feb. 2026
-
His team uses taxonomy — the science of naming and classifying species — to formalize new names from field notes.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Kahane founded True North following his exit from Lionsgate to develop, finance, and produce distinctive features in partnership with leading and emerging filmmakers.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The stunning ship, recognisable from its distinctive red funnels, is a complete destination for Disney fans.—
Helen Wright,
TheWeek,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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While 79% of homeowners feel confident in spotting early signs of winter damage, 66% wait until the problems are visible before taking action.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The description noted that seeing even one oarfish near shore is rare and that spotting two in the same place is highly unusual.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distinguishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinguishing. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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