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
Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Season 2 explores where this chaos comes from, and the difficulty in distinguishing the sheriff from the outlaw.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
Markets eventually stopped distinguishing between the individual governor's credentials and started pricing institutional credibility itself.
—Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Every bakery has its distinguishing products, and for Upper Crust those include its Black Gold cookies, Paraguayan cornbread and Italian cream cake.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 29 Jan. 2026
The former student’s language skills aided the project and was a distinguishing factor over Texas candidates, Lewis said.
—Eleanor Dearman
updated January 27, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Jan. 2026
If the weather permits, take a seat by one of the school’s most distinguishing features, the Sunken Garden.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 27 Jan. 2026
By distinguishing between temporary and irreversible material changes, the new monitoring method provides a great basis for improving the tests.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 27 Jan. 2026
Opportunism did seem to be Henie’s distinguishing trait.
—Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
Protective planning as a long-term discipline Perhaps the most distinguishing feature of future-proof asset protection is timing.
—Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Season 2 explores where this chaos comes from, and the difficulty in distinguishing the sheriff from the outlaw.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
Markets eventually stopped distinguishing between the individual governor's credentials and started pricing institutional credibility itself.
—Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Every bakery has its distinguishing products, and for Upper Crust those include its Black Gold cookies, Paraguayan cornbread and Italian cream cake.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 29 Jan. 2026
The former student’s language skills aided the project and was a distinguishing factor over Texas candidates, Lewis said.
—Eleanor Dearman
updated January 27, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Jan. 2026
If the weather permits, take a seat by one of the school’s most distinguishing features, the Sunken Garden.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 27 Jan. 2026
By distinguishing between temporary and irreversible material changes, the new monitoring method provides a great basis for improving the tests.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 27 Jan. 2026
Opportunism did seem to be Henie’s distinguishing trait.
—Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 26 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinguishing
Adjective
-
But despite his characteristic command and media savvy, Jackson’s campaign never gained true momentum, scoring mixed results.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Critically blasted but massively popular with audiences, this dream project is the height of kitsch, somehow made palatable by Richard’s characteristic earnestness.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 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 player.—
SportsDay Staff,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Large and boutique operators alike are differentiating themselves through modern design, personalization, and luxe amenities aimed at an increasingly discerning clientele.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But Morès deserves to be recognized as a father of fascism not merely for having applied the old metaphor of the fasces to a new hierarchical order, characterizing it as an interclass panacea.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Top Tyler leaders haven’t been thrilled with Pappas either, replying to her letters by defending their work and characterizing her correspondence as counterproductive and at times, misleading or hyperbolic.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Try a Google image search or ask a tech-y friend for help identifying mystery cords.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Chief among the complaints was the rollout of the documents not complying with a congressional deadline, and the release of some victim names and identifying information, while the names of potential co-conspirators and Epstein associates were redacted.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Upon noticing a doorbell camera, the subject calmly seeks foliage from Guthrie’s porch area to try and obscure the lens.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Video footage shows the person approaching the front door, noticing the camera and trying to cover the lens with their hand.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This means OpenAI is essentially classifying the model as capable enough at coding to potentially facilitate significant cyber harm, especially if automated or used at scale.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Young Women’s Leadership Academy has students in grades 6-12 and has an 85% minority population, with 65% of total students classifying as Hispanic and 20% as African-American.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Occasionally the most lighthearted of the three divisions, Animated Shorts, as expected, also has the most distinctive visuals.—
Stephen Schaefer,
Boston Herald,
18 Feb. 2026
-
These elements come together in a sophisticated set of over-ears with distinctive design elements including vintage-style grills, and a window on the ear cup to showcase the tube preamp within.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Lacking distinct features and used in the electrode at less than five percent by weight, the component plays an important role in holding the electrodes together, and spotting it can help improve its performance, according to a press release.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Locals say more than 30,000 green vervet monkeys live on the island, with early morning and late afternoon the best time for monkey spotting.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distinguishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinguishing. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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