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
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Recent Examples of distinction
Jared Feldman, owner of travel agency Jafeldma Travel, said there are distinctions between private destinations and private excursions.
—
Nathan Diller, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
Tom Flores was the first person to achieve this distinction.
—Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
But whatever the moral and logistical shortcomings evident on both sides, Brundage draws a clear distinction between North and South.
—Drew Gilpin Faust, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
The same individuals occupy the top roles — often simultaneously — with one key distinction.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for distinction
Nathan Diller, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
Tom Flores was the first person to achieve this distinction.
—Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
But whatever the moral and logistical shortcomings evident on both sides, Brundage draws a clear distinction between North and South.
—Drew Gilpin Faust, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
The same individuals occupy the top roles — often simultaneously — with one key distinction.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for distinction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinction
Noun
-
Robb demonstrates excellence in both her academic and extracurricular pursuits.—
Darla Rivera,
Oklahoman,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Pettit said District 86’s long history of educational excellence was key in his interest to come.—
Chuck Fieldman,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Ebba Andersson tumbled and snapped the ski binding in the second leg, giving Norway the advantage on a day where warm weather caused slushy corners that created havoc in the early stages.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The main challenge is ensuring redistricting is fair, transparent, and based on accurate population data—not drawn to protect incumbents or maximize partisan advantage.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The win marks the latest accolade for the song, which has already earned a Grammy, Golden Globe, and Critics Choice Award, in addition to an Academy Award nomination.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
7 Feb. 2026
-
African films depicting same-sex relationships have historically been censored on the continent, including those that garnered international accolades.—
Preeti Jha,
semafor.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Her impressive athleticism and recent dominance on the international circuit had her entering Milan riding a high.—
Brittany Ghiroli,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The Dangote Refinery’s increasing dominance of the local supply of refined petrol is expanding its role in determining the market price.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
As a result, James won’t be able to hit the 65-game minimum needed to be considered for league awards, as per the collective bargaining agreement.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The league’s threshold to be eligible for postseason awards is 65 games.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The difference between boys aged 10 and 12 compared to 13 and 14 is huge.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
14 Feb. 2026
-
What the files do seem to confirm, though, is the conspiracy theorist’s view of an elite stratosphere, where normal rules don’t apply, everyone knows each other, and ideological differences are subsumed to self-interested motives.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Then, there’s a period of separation, followed by Heathcliff’s return, having made his own fortune.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Ensuring safe separation between aircraft is vital to preventing tragedies like the collision over the Potomac River, and reports of serious safety concerns from airline pilots paint a troubling picture of safety over Burbank in particular.—
Marc Scribner,
Oc Register,
8 Feb. 2026
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
-
Zurich said the Game Changer Award pays tribute to excellency in the film business with a focus on leaders that not only cherish change and forward-thinking approaches in the business, but also stand for the DNA of what cinema has represented since its invention.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
10 Sep. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Distinction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinction. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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