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
Daniel Jackson, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
Technology enables simultaneous production of hydrogen The team also pointed out that this technology enables the simultaneous production of hydrogen and chemical feedstocks such as formate, distinguishing it from conventional water electrolysis processes that produce only hydrogen.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Apr. 2026
Gazan journalists and media personnel continue to be posthumously identified as members of terrorist groups, highlighting the difficulty of distinguishing terror affiliates from civilians.
—Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Vance’s role at the negotiating table could help position him as a peacemaker, Crocker noted, distinguishing him from advocates of the war entering the presidential primaries.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
The system's radar had trouble distinguishing the fire truck and the other vehicles, and the radar targets intermittently merged on the display.
—ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
Over the past century, knot theorists have developed a set of clear, if imperfect, tools for distinguishing knots.
—Erica Klarreich, Quanta Magazine, 22 Apr. 2026
In discussions of people like Michael Jackson, some defenders insist on distinguishing between the artist and the art, but a bio-pic is necessarily about both.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Leon scolded Justice Department attorneys for arguing that the entire project needed to go forward for national security reasons, before previously distinguishing between the bunker below ground and the ballroom above ground.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
The second distinguishing feature of liveblogs is their tone of voice, which is often dialogic in nature.
—Daniel Jackson, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
Technology enables simultaneous production of hydrogen The team also pointed out that this technology enables the simultaneous production of hydrogen and chemical feedstocks such as formate, distinguishing it from conventional water electrolysis processes that produce only hydrogen.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Apr. 2026
Gazan journalists and media personnel continue to be posthumously identified as members of terrorist groups, highlighting the difficulty of distinguishing terror affiliates from civilians.
—Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Vance’s role at the negotiating table could help position him as a peacemaker, Crocker noted, distinguishing him from advocates of the war entering the presidential primaries.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
The system's radar had trouble distinguishing the fire truck and the other vehicles, and the radar targets intermittently merged on the display.
—ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
Over the past century, knot theorists have developed a set of clear, if imperfect, tools for distinguishing knots.
—Erica Klarreich, Quanta Magazine, 22 Apr. 2026
In discussions of people like Michael Jackson, some defenders insist on distinguishing between the artist and the art, but a bio-pic is necessarily about both.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Leon scolded Justice Department attorneys for arguing that the entire project needed to go forward for national security reasons, before previously distinguishing between the bunker below ground and the ballroom above ground.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinguishing
Adjective
-
Scientific studies identified safrole, the chemical compound responsible for its characteristic scent, as toxic to the liver and carcinogenic in laboratory animals.—
Kari Traylor,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Video of the pair's initial greeting at the White House on Monday is circulating online, showing the president firmly grasping hands with the monarch, and giving a few characteristic tugs.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Mexican eatery splits its menu into three, differentiating between meat dishes, vegetarian items and vegan dishes to avoid any potential confusion.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
22 Apr. 2026
-
In a joint report documenting a meeting between counsel for the two parties entered in the case filing, Coastal Caviar further outlined their position, differentiating themselves from Lagos's Caviar brand.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But those infractions do not justify characterizing an entire category of services that helps tens of millions of Americans remain in their homes as rife with fraud and in need of dramatic changes.—
Washington Post,
Washington Post,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The author portrays Huntington Beach’s conservative leadership as opportunistic political actors seeking to weaponize local grievances for statewide power, characterizing their efforts to expand influence as built on cultural controversies rather than substantive governance achievements.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Colombia’s Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences said specialists including dentists, anthropologists and forensic doctors are identifying the victims.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Residents identifying themselves as Democrats, who made up 48% of the polling sample, held a 44% favorable view of Johnson, while 35% viewed him unfavorably.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
January 20 – February 18 Your voice stands out today, and people are noticing.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Aquarius January 20 – February 18 Your voice stands out today, and people are noticing.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The funeral home building was demolished in 2024 after the EPA condemned it, classifying it as a toxic waste site.—
Brian Sherrod,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Whether the law survives looming legal challenges—rooted in a 1933 state Supreme Court ruling classifying income as property—remains an open question.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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What Makes Steller Sea Lions Different Beyond their size, Steller sea lions have distinctive habits and capabilities.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
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Images of her outside the hotel were splashed across tabloids, with The Carlyle’s distinctive gold revolving door in the background.—
Elise Taylor,
Vanity Fair,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Overhead watering may cause flowers to droop or spotting on petals; certain species are more subject to disease if watered from above.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
29 Apr. 2026
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The drones are designed to perform autonomously or via remote control while doing such things as stalking submarines, spotting mines and serving as advance scouts for aircraft carriers.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distinguishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinguishing. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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