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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 otherness
The withholding nature of Chernin’s Leo poses some theatrical risks but goes a long way toward explaining how the character’s otherness could be turned against him in such a malignant way.
—
Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025
But perhaps most of all, Wong was sensitive to otherness and underclass.
—Max Lakin, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
This framing posits the algorithm as a form of alterity, an otherness that aids in self-knowledge.
—Sonja Drimmer, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2025
Throughout the book, in an attempt to merge urban fantasy with pastoral otherness, Lin brings up smartphones, high-rises, subways, the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
—Aditi Sriram, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for otherness
Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025
But perhaps most of all, Wong was sensitive to otherness and underclass.
—Max Lakin, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
This framing posits the algorithm as a form of alterity, an otherness that aids in self-knowledge.
—Sonja Drimmer, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2025
Throughout the book, in an attempt to merge urban fantasy with pastoral otherness, Lin brings up smartphones, high-rises, subways, the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
—Aditi Sriram, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for otherness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for otherness
Noun
-
The trust fund used to make up the difference between what workers are paying in and what Social Security pays out in benefits is projected to run out of money in nine years.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Most polls show a couple of percentage points’ difference among them, with the preferences for each sitting near the 20% mark.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Since then, she’s used her foundation and myriad books to help promote diversity and inclusion across the ballet world.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
-
The number and diversity of immigrants have served to fuel economic growth and contribute to some of the uniqueness that makes America a great and special nation.—
Boston Herald,
Boston Herald,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
That distinction still belongs to B-Sides & Rarities, which only spent a single turn in absolute last place, at No. 100, in November 2005.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
-
In visceral and unrelenting prose, the novel troubles the easy distinctions between victim and perpetrator.—
Katie Kitamura
August 21,
Literary Hub,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
In contrast, not only does the UAE have a simpler tourist visa process, but it it is set to introduce a GCC Unified Visa which will enable travelers to visit Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain without needing additional paperwork.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025
-
In contrast, the new method’s calculations are not reliant upon the number of faults.—
Sarah Stanley,
Space.com,
17 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Otherness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/otherness. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share