distinct

adjective

di-ˈstiŋ(k)t How to pronounce distinct (audio)
Definition of distinctnext
1
as in different
being not of the same kind two distinct approaches to the same problem

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unmistakable
not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation a person with a distinct Scottish accent

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in specific
of a particular or exact sort I left distinct instructions that my books were not to be touched

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in distinctive
serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group one of the distinct traits of a preliterate society

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective distinct contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of distinct are apparent, clear, evident, manifest, obvious, patent, and plain. While all these words mean "readily perceived or apprehended," distinct implies such sharpness of outline or definition that no unusual effort to see or hear or comprehend is required.

a distinct refusal

How do apparent and evident relate to one another, in the sense of distinct?

Apparent is very close to evident except that it may imply more conscious exercise of inference.

for no apparent reason

When is clear a more appropriate choice than distinct?

The synonyms clear and distinct are sometimes interchangeable, but clear implies an absence of anything that confuses the mind or obscures the pattern.

a clear explanation

When would evident be a good substitute for distinct?

In some situations, the words evident and distinct are roughly equivalent. However, evident implies presence of visible signs that lead one to a definite conclusion.

an evident fondness for sweets

When is it sensible to use manifest instead of distinct?

The words manifest and distinct can be used in similar contexts, but manifest implies an external display so evident that little or no inference is required.

manifest hostility

In what contexts can obvious take the place of distinct?

The words obvious and distinct are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, obvious implies such ease in discovering that it often suggests conspicuousness or little need for perspicacity in the observer.

the obvious solution

When could patent be used to replace distinct?

The meanings of patent and distinct largely overlap; however, patent applies to a cause, effect, or significant feature that is clear and unmistakable once attention has been directed to it.

patent defects

Where would plain be a reasonable alternative to distinct?

While in some cases nearly identical to distinct, plain suggests lack of intricacy, complexity, or elaboration.

her feelings about him are plain

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 distinct As the line between traditional and decentralized finance becomes less distinct, staking is emerging as an increasingly significant feature of the modern financial system. —Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025 So Cutright started his own fireworks company, nearby, but distinct from Chee’s. —Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 12 Sep. 2025 Players choose a historical figure, who has his or her own perks and abilities, and pair the leader with a civilization, which also has its distinct traits. —Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025 MonoFlex and GearFlex are plate technologies, each with a distinct approach to flex. —Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for distinct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinct
  1. different
  2. unmistakable
  3. specific
  4. distinctive
  5. diverse
  6. obvious
  7. special
  8. characteristic
Adjective
  • Previous recommendations, widely supported by pediatric experts, called for the use of a vaccine that addressed four different illnesses, measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox.
    — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Swift announced The Life of a Showgirl, her LP co-produced with Max Martin and Shellback, in mid-August, and has since shared several vinyl variants with different album covers for the record.
    — Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025
Definition of different
Adjective
  • There is a deep respect for the brand’s heritage throughout the collection, but also an unmistakable drive to modernize, internationalize, and individualize the designs for today’s and tomorrow’s audience.
    — Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The mood on the factory floor was unmistakable.
    — Footwear News, Footwear News, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of unmistakable
Adjective
  • Researchers from Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital screened 3,508 patients with stage I, II, or III rectal cancer or stage II or III colon cancer, finding that 1,103 of these people had a specific variant in the PI3K pathway – the genetic marker of interest.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Pillars of the Green Transition, which is set to take place next Wednesday, will bring specific case studies on energy storage, food systems and bioenergy to audiences at the magazine's New York headquarters.
    — Katherine Fung, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of specific
Adjective
  • There’s no barbecue in Georgia quite like Fresh Air’s, and no restaurant better represents the state’s storied and distinctive style.
    — Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2025
  • The brands that survive won’t be the most polished—they’ll be the most distinctive.
    — Erik Huberman, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Definition of distinctive
Adjective
  • One such story is that the island has always been a diverse, cosmopolitan place.
    — Will Collins, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025
  • In fact, ecosystems with diverse wildlife often support a wide variety of parasites, because these organisms rely on specific hosts to survive!
    — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Definition of diverse
Adjective
  • And a soft implant can be the best option to avoid an obvious edge.
    — Megan McIntyre, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • That’s because your liver won’t give you obvious clues that say there’s a MASH up going there.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Definition of obvious
Adjective
  • Townshend recalled performing in Chicago at a small club turned roller rink called the Kinetic Playground, 1969 performances with a particularly special opening act.
    — Jim Ryan, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Xp Lee won a special election in Minnesota on Tuesday to replace Melissa Hortman, the former speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, who was assassinated in June.
    — Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2025
Definition of special
Adjective
  • The characteristic fragrance results from a complex mixture of chemicals that can actually impact our health.
    — Anan Bishara, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • But the other one, closer to the compact subcluster, was smaller and had a characteristic bow shock shape, a dull cone similar to the wake left behind as a ship moves through water.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of characteristic

Browse Nearby Words

distills
distinct
distinction
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Distinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinct. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on distinct

Nglish: Translation of distinct for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Putting Adjectives in the Right Order

A Guide to Using Semicolons
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 3

Color Words to Describe Autumn Leaves

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

And So It Begins: 9 Words for Beginnings

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 3

Color Words to Describe Autumn Leaves
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
vector image of a face with thought expression
Commonly Confused Words Quiz Take a (break/brake) and (pore/pour) over this (c...
See All