1
as in to differentiate
to understand or point out the difference in
even at such a young age, he could distinguish the calls of various birds
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to characterize
to be an important feature of
a collection of recipes distinguished by their ease and simplicity
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to identify
to find out or establish the identity of
learned at an early age to distinguish the sound of a piano in an orchestra
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to notice
to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes
could barely distinguish the garden gate through the mist
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to classify
to arrange or assign according to type
on the exam we were asked to distinguish the specimens by acidity
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distinguish
The rufous and Allen’s are extremely difficult birds to distinguish in the field because of their similarity.
—
Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Nothing much right now distinguishes us from the third world.
—Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 28 Mar. 2026
For Koch, both moves are profoundly antihumanist, stripping away the very qualities that distinguish us from machines.
—Shai Tubali, Big Think, 27 Mar. 2026
Instead, this highlights the potential for Democrats to hurt themselves via a combination of having too many candidates – none of whom have been able to distinguish themselves – and the refusal of lower-tier candidates to drop out, even this late in the race.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for distinguish
Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Nothing much right now distinguishes us from the third world.
—Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 28 Mar. 2026
For Koch, both moves are profoundly antihumanist, stripping away the very qualities that distinguish us from machines.
—Shai Tubali, Big Think, 27 Mar. 2026
Instead, this highlights the potential for Democrats to hurt themselves via a combination of having too many candidates – none of whom have been able to distinguish themselves – and the refusal of lower-tier candidates to drop out, even this late in the race.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for distinguish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinguish
Verb
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As cannabis brands look for ways to differentiate products beyond potency, cannabinoids associated with specific functional benefits, such as sleep, focus and metabolic health, are moving into the spotlight.—
Thomas Andersen,
Rolling Stone,
2 Apr. 2026
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In an email to the sponsor group, officials noted that their tax reports do not differentiate between hotels and short-term rentals.—
Hannah Elsmore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Afterward, a student in the audience complained to his parents that, at the event, the deaths of Palestinian civilians had been characterized as collateral damage—a regrettable but unavoidable consequence of the battle against Hamas.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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That message, closely aligned with how Trump has characterized his own legal battles, was also front and center in Paxton’s remarks at the Ronald Reagan dinner Friday night.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The suspect has been identified as 64-year-old James Andrew Thompson, and his wife was the first to call for help, Hickory police said in an April 3 news release.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Apr. 2026
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Both, only identified as a 40-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman, were pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Even her 8-year-old daughter has noticed the impact on the family's spending.—
Da Lin,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
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Increasingly, human resources departments noticed that applicants used the résumé to tell white lies, and even bigger fibs, listing fictitious degrees, fake promotions and other embellishments.—
Stephen Mihm,
Twin Cities,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The fire is classified as accidental.—
Pioneer Press,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
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By classifying sports betting as a public health issue and imposing rigid federal standards, the proposal also significantly limits the autonomy of the states, which have been primarily responsible for the legalization and regulation of this sector since 2018.—
Cláudia Nunes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This marketing quote targets elite, discerning buyers by comparing the extreme diamond studded artistry of the Graff Diamonds Hallucination, with the horological technical engineering mastery of the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime.—
Tony Leopardo,
Mercury News,
29 Mar. 2026
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Exactly how these purchases relate to immigration enforcement is not always easy to discern.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Most of the trouble on this night came from starter Ryan Johnson’s inability to find the strike zone and the defense’s problems converting two plays that should have been made.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
31 Mar. 2026
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The Will County Sheriff's Office confirmed on Monday that more remains have been found in the same location where the bones of a missing man were discovered last week.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Malikah Auguste, a ninth-grader at Cristo Rey and an intern with Miami Lighthouse, saw the impact the visit had on her classmates.—
Christina Mayo,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
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Whizzing by the moon up to 6,000 miles above the surface, the astronauts will also glimpse the celestial body's full disk, seeing sights that not even the Apollo astronauts witnessed.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distinguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinguish. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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