1
as in excellence
exceptionally high quality
a shop selling native handicrafts of distinction
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in advantage
a quality that gives something special worth
has the distinction of being the oldest house in the city
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in accolade
public acknowledgment or admiration for an achievement
I did all of the work, and the other guy got all the distinction
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in dominance
the fact or state of being above others in rank or importance
a number of physicians of national distinction serve on the staff of the teaching hospital
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in award
something given in recognition of achievement
won a number of distinctions in her long career as an actress
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in difference
the quality or state of being different
the distinction between the two photographic prints escapes me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in separation
the state of being kept distinct
the distinction between liberty and license is often violated in today's freewheeling society
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 distinction
Universal is betting that the addition of Epic will turn the resort into a full-week destination, a distinction that is normally reserved for its crosstown neighbor, Walt Disney World.
—
Devan Burris, CNBC, 8 June 2025
The distinction between different ranking tiers is sometimes subtle.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 8 June 2025
Whether distinctions in the college sports context prove to be distinctions without making a legal difference remains to be seen.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 8 June 2025
Congress has grappled with such distinctions before, Cummings said.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for distinction
Devan Burris, CNBC, 8 June 2025
The distinction between different ranking tiers is sometimes subtle.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 8 June 2025
Whether distinctions in the college sports context prove to be distinctions without making a legal difference remains to be seen.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 8 June 2025
Congress has grappled with such distinctions before, Cummings said.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for distinction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinction
Noun
-
But on a night of all-around excellence from the Dodgers, no one impressed quite like the man who endures as the most familiar, and foundational, face of the franchise.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2025
-
The school looks forward to honoring three decades of excellence and is inviting parents, alumni and community members to join the planning effort.—
Susan Soldavin,
Baltimore Sun,
14 June 2025
Noun
-
Sam Bennett, who scored twice in Florida’s Game 1 loss, capitalized on the man advantage with the game’s first goal.—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
7 June 2025
-
Even among guards, the ability for a taller player to see over the defense can be an advantage when making reads.—
Lev Akabas,
Sportico.com,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
Despite his athletic accolades, Jones’ post-retirement years—and even much of his playing career—have been marked by frequent legal trouble.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
9 June 2025
-
Another outstanding release Volvo, and deserving of World Car Award accolades in my opinion.—
Marc D Grasso,
Hartford Courant,
7 June 2025
Noun
-
That group achieved little in Paris other than extending the club’s domestic dominance.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
15 June 2025
-
The veteran forward has been a cornerstone of Bayern's dominance for more than a decade and a half.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 June 2025
Noun
-
The performance airs one night before the Great White Way's annual awards show.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
-
His recent credits include Ben Affleck’s Air for Amazon Studios, Surrounded for MGM and festival standouts like Nine Days and The Birth of a Nation, the latter of which won both the grand jury prize and audience award at the Sundance Film Festival.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
Many compare it to the $40 Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow AHA Night Treatment, while others report noticeable differences.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
15 June 2025
-
However, there's a significant difference between containing and controlling a wildfire.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
15 June 2025
Noun
-
The case to voters citywide: La Jolla must pay millions to San Diego in separation costs that, along with the city not having to spend money in La Jolla, can help cover the budget gap and improve services elsewhere.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 June 2025
-
The Current will have at least five points of separation atop the league standings depending on the rest of the weekend’s results.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
7 June 2025
Noun
-
Education was considered an individual pursuit marked by moral excellency and only the students who did the best in school would have proceeded to higher education.—
Sara Novak,
Discover Magazine,
12 Nov. 2024
-
Education was considered an individual pursuit marked by moral excellency and only the students who did the best in school would have proceeded to higher education.—
Sara Novak,
Discover Magazine,
12 Nov. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Distinction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinction. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share