DISTINCTIVE Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'distinctive' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of distinctive are characteristic , individual , and peculiar . While all these words mean "indicating a special quality or identity," distinctive indicates qualities distinguishing and uncommon and often superior or praiseworthy. // a distinctive aura of grace and elegance

Q: When could 'characteristic' be used to replace 'distinctive'?

The meanings of characteristic and distinctive largely overlap; however, characteristic applies to something that distinguishes or identifies a person or thing or class. // responded with her characteristic wit

Q: When might 'individual' be a better fit than 'distinctive'?

The words individual and distinctive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, individual stresses qualities that distinguish one from all other members of the same kind or class. // a highly individual writing style

Q: When is it sensible to use 'peculiar' instead of 'distinctive'?

While in some cases nearly identical to distinctive , peculiar applies to qualities possessed only by a particular individual or class or kind and stresses rarity or uniqueness. // an eccentricity that is peculiar to the British

distinctive

adjective

di-ˈstiŋ(k)-tiv

Definition of distinctive next

as in different

being not of the same kind she seems to alternate between two distinctive hairstyles

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in distinct

serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group the distinctive odor of a barnyard

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How does the adjective distinctive contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of distinctive are characteristic, individual, and peculiar. While all these words mean "indicating a special quality or identity," distinctive indicates qualities distinguishing and uncommon and often superior or praiseworthy.

a distinctive aura of grace and elegance

When could characteristic be used to replace distinctive?

The meanings of characteristic and distinctive largely overlap; however, characteristic applies to something that distinguishes or identifies a person or thing or class.

responded with her characteristic wit

When might individual be a better fit than distinctive?

The words individual and distinctive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, individual stresses qualities that distinguish one from all other members of the same kind or class.

a highly individual writing style

When is it sensible to use peculiar instead of distinctive?

While in some cases nearly identical to distinctive, peculiar applies to qualities possessed only by a particular individual or class or kind and stresses rarity or uniqueness.

an eccentricity that is peculiar to the British

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 distinctive While such storms are not rare occurrences, the recipe of weather events leading up to the first snowflake doesn’t follow any distinctive pattern, at least not one researchers and meteorologists have been able to identify. —

Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 28 Jan. 2026 But the town of Aledo itself, with a population of about 3,500, might be the movie’s most distinctive choice. —

Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026 The spring 2026 shoes from Chanel also included a reimagining of the label’s classic cap toe and more distinctive footwear designs. —

Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 27 Jan. 2026 All that work has resulted in a highly distinctive design DNA, which is evident in the Villa 50. —

Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 27 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for distinctive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinctive

Adjective

Riding the Gus Bus Thursday could have been a lot different had Gustavsson not been on his game.

— Michael Russo, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
After the initial burst of celebrity impressions, TikTokers began to approach the trend from different angles.

— Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026

Definition of different

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“Distinctive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinctive. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 2 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

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