distinguished 1 of 2

adjective

di-ˈstiŋ-(g)wisht How to pronounce distinguished (audio)
Definition of distinguishednext
1
as in imposing
having or showing a formal and serious or reserved manner heads turned as the well-dressed, distinguished couple strode through the hotel lobby

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2
as in outstanding
standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement a distinguished astronomer who is widely respected in the field

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distinguished

2 of 2

verb

past tense of distinguish
1
as in differentiated
to understand or point out the difference in even at such a young age, he could distinguish the calls of various birds

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2
as in characterized
to be an important feature of a collection of recipes distinguished by their ease and simplicity

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3
as in identified
to find out or establish the identity of learned at an early age to distinguish the sound of a piano in an orchestra

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4
as in noticed
to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes could barely distinguish the garden gate through the mist

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5
as in classified
to arrange or assign according to type on the exam we were asked to distinguish the specimens by acidity

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word distinguished different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of distinguished are celebrated, eminent, famous, illustrious, noted, notorious, and renowned. While all these words mean "known far and wide," distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority.

a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

When is it sensible to use celebrated instead of distinguished?

The words celebrated and distinguished are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print.

the most celebrated beauty of her day

When could eminent be used to replace distinguished?

Although the words eminent and distinguished have much in common, eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character.

the country's most eminent writers

When can famous be used instead of distinguished?

The meanings of famous and distinguished largely overlap; however, famous implies little more than the fact of being, sometimes briefly, widely and popularly known.

a famous actress

When might illustrious be a better fit than distinguished?

While the synonyms illustrious and distinguished are close in meaning, illustrious stresses enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person.

illustrious war heroes

When would noted be a good substitute for distinguished?

In some situations, the words noted and distinguished are roughly equivalent. However, noted suggests well-deserved public attention.

the noted mystery writer

How do notorious and famous relate to one another, in the sense of distinguished?

Notorious frequently adds to famous an implication of questionableness or evil.

a notorious gangster

In what contexts can renowned take the place of distinguished?

While in some cases nearly identical to distinguished, renowned implies more glory and acclamation.

one of the most renowned figures in sports history

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 distinguished
Adjective
The Billboard Icon Award honors artists whose careers have not only remained relevant over the years, but also also those who have established themselves as some of the most distinguished artists in their genres, celebrated globally for achieving both musical and commercial success. —Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 16 Sep. 2025 During that interview, Luchin, a distinguished Italian chef known for his expertise in regional cuisine and the former owner of Ottavio restaurant in Walnut Creek, blamed financial struggles after his establishment closed in 2016. —Doc Louallen, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
In the preceding years, views toward socialism — distinguished by collective ownership of the means of production — remained relatively unchanged. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025 Founded by architect Paul McClean in 2000, the firm has distinguished itself with its impressive residential designs around the world, from a mountain home set in the rocky landscape of Whistler to a Hollywood Hills haven overlooking the city. —Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for distinguished
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinguished
  1. imposing
  2. outstanding
  3. differentiated
  4. characterized
  5. identified
  6. noticed
  7. classified
  8. dignified
Adjective
  • At the heart of the property is the tahona, used to grind the agave used to make mezcal; this one is solar-powered though no less imposing.
    — Carley Rojas Ávila, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Drafted in the second round, 50th overall, last year out of TCU, the physically imposing, 6-foot-6, 250-pound lefty debuted at the Single-A level in April.
    — Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
Definition of imposing
Adjective
  • Herbert is playing outstanding football, and while their running game has been very pedestrian, their air attack is looking good.
    — Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
  • The 6-foot-3 left-hander has been outstanding, completing 71 of 106 passes for 772 yards and six touchdowns with one interception.
    — Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Sep. 2025
Definition of outstanding
Verb
  • The ethnicity of the Japanese and Taiwanese men taking studio shots can no longer be differentiated by a choice between modern or traditional pose and attire.
    — H.M.A. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 13 Sep. 2025
  • This may seem like an odd fit, but the Shakers differentiated themselves with their erratic movements (like shaking, hence the name), song, and dance while praying, so the genre proves to be an organic choice.
    — Barry Levitt, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of differentiated
Verb
  • Turcios characterized the current political climate in the United States as no longer about policy disagreements.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Sep. 2025
  • And as the name suggests, soft loafers are characterized by being more flexible and, well, soft than their counterparts.
    — Mayte Salido, Glamour, 21 Sep. 2025
Definition of characterized
Verb
  • The Santa Clara Police Department identified the man as Nizamuddin Mohammed in an update on its investigation into the shooting.
    — Jason Green, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
  • In 2016, 32% of Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 identified as conservative.
    — Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2025
Definition of identified
Verb
  • State Representative Devin Carney, a Republican, led the bill's introduction, having noticed Connecticut stood apart from more than 30 states that already had similar prohibitions.
    — Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Nearly 100 years ago, in 1928, Scottish physician Alexander Fleming famously noticed that, in a moldy Petri dish, Penicillium notatum had destroyed the bacteria around it (even if penicillin would still be more than a decade away from development).
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 20 Sep. 2025
Definition of noticed
Verb
  • Geomagnetic storms are classified using a G-scale, which ranks their intensity from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme).
    — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Despite being the first voice in nearly every emergency, dispatchers are often classified as clerical staff instead of first responders.
    — Jason Truppi, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of classified
Adjective
  • The venture works with waste picker entrepreneurs in India to provide dignified work within the circular value chain.
    — Jennifer Bringle, Sourcing Journal, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Ten years ago, women dressed well and looked dignified.
    — Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of dignified

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distinguishably
distinguished
distinguishes
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Cite this Entry

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

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