as in distinctiveness
the quality or state of being different
from an early age he could sense that there was an otherness about him—he was somehow different from the other kids
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of otherness
There’s a lot of ways to tackle otherness and discrimination.
—
Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 10 Jan. 2026
While Monster luxuriated in Gein’s unraveling mind, showcasing his otherness with sequences of Gein dancing with spinning chainsaws and posing in his skin suit, Devil in Disguise is all the more effective for emphasizing Gacy’s ability to go unnoticed.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025
The film’s queerness extends beyond Palmer’s portrayal of out lesbian Emerald Haywood; in addition to being a commentary on the way the entertainment industry consumes us, Nope is also about otherness.
—Samantha Allen, Them., 7 Oct. 2025
Tower of Now acts as a visual lexicon of architectural motifs, inviting viewers to find both familiarity and otherness.
—Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for otherness
Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 10 Jan. 2026
While Monster luxuriated in Gein’s unraveling mind, showcasing his otherness with sequences of Gein dancing with spinning chainsaws and posing in his skin suit, Devil in Disguise is all the more effective for emphasizing Gacy’s ability to go unnoticed.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025
The film’s queerness extends beyond Palmer’s portrayal of out lesbian Emerald Haywood; in addition to being a commentary on the way the entertainment industry consumes us, Nope is also about otherness.
—Samantha Allen, Them., 7 Oct. 2025
Tower of Now acts as a visual lexicon of architectural motifs, inviting viewers to find both familiarity and otherness.
—Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for otherness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for otherness
Noun
-
Humor about the pickle often stems from its distinctiveness—its tangy, assertive flavor and odd appearance lend themselves to exaggerated, whimsical depictions.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Optimal distinctiveness essentially says that people want to belong to a group and to still be unique in some way at the same time.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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How can the sense of an absolute union of all matter be reconciled with the endless multiplicity and distinctness of it?—
Christian Wiman,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
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However, a few hours with Air Riders reveals the nuance and depth of its gameplay, the distinctness of this flavor of racing game and its sensory, chaotic, and strategic appeal.—
Ryan Gaur,
Rolling Stone,
19 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Making an actual charge is another as Saturday showed with several players getting close to Coughlin, but failing to make up the difference.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
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The difference wasn’t measured by their effort but instead by their over-all strategy.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The sheer diversity of gold necklaces in 2026 is nothing short of impressive.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
31 Mar. 2026
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Their sulfur-rich diet has also significantly reduced the diversity of their gut microbiomes.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The market is full of vehicles that blur the line between a traditional e-bike and something closer to a motorcycle, and manufacturers don’t always make the distinction easy to spot.—
Sarah Raza,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
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This distinction was missing both from popular discourse, the academics felt, and from an influential definition of antisemitism associated with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, which lists numerous examples of antisemitism related to criticism of Israel.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In contrast, the Fraternal Order of Eagles advocated for pensions for industrial wage laborers—for people who had worked in jobs that wore out their bodies and left them physically unable to work.—
Trevor Jackson,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
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Start with one strong, anchoring piece—like a bed or sofa—then build around it with contrast.—
Angelika Pokovba,
Martha Stewart,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Otherness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/otherness. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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