DISTINGUISHING Synonyms: 190 Similar and Opposite Words

distinguishing 1 of 2

adjective

as in characteristic

serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group a novice birder still learning the distinguishing features of various finches

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distinguishing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of distinguish

as in differentiating

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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as in characterizing

to be an important feature of a collection of recipes distinguished by their ease and simplicity

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as in identifying

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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as in noticing

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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as in classifying

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

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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 distinguishing

Verb

Good decision-making under pressure is often just the discipline of distinguishing what is genuinely urgent from what merely feels urgent. — Alfonso Cahero, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 The company’s distinguishing advantage is a thick sauce with a right-from-the-garden taste. — Claire Hall, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026 Senior administration officials pushed back on the idea the new levies were crafted explicitly to replace earlier tariffs, distinguishing them from a universal, global rate. — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 23 July 2026 As pieces age past their first year, buyers will begin distinguishing between fabrics that settle and fabrics that keep shedding. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026 While many brands, from Marc Jacobs to the WWE, are currently testing the microdrama waters to engage consumers in new ways, The Daily Show appears to be distinguishing itself by tapping into the format’s comedic possibilities. — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2026 Within the past year or two, Microsoft made this chip distinction the distinguishing trait between consumer and business Surface models. — Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 9 July 2026 The right to support and elect candidates for political office is a distinguishing feature of democracy. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 8 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinguishing

Adjective

The simple bodywork incorporates components like the seat and headlamp into the design while maintaining a characteristic adventure-bike stance.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 July 2026
Track three scuttles atop a bed of pine needles and broken eggshells, a nervous, almost dubsteppy rhythm haloed in Four Tet’s characteristic bell tones.

— Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 18 July 2026

Definition of characteristic

Verb

Leading companies like Anthropic and Apple strategically position themselves on AI safety and privacy, differentiating their brands and attracting talent.

— Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
So mathematicians try to come up with foolproof methods for differentiating them.

— Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 23 July 2026

Definition of differentiating

Verb

Low testosterone is a common feature of Operator Syndrome, a medical phenomenon characterizing the unique stresses of being in the military, which doctors are now seeking to understand.

— Dominique Mosbergen, Time, 17 July 2026
After characterizing the nature of the asteroid, Tianwen-2 will attempt to gather samples.

— Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 6 July 2026

Definition of characterizing

Verb

Microsoft is introducing new AI tools designed to help customers continuously streamline and automate the process of identifying and reducing their exposure to security risks.

— Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 27 July 2026
Why This Changes Who Wins Operators need to map long-term infrastructure capacity, grid headroom, water availability and substation backlogs while identifying which approvals will create delays if sequenced incorrectly.

— Balaji Sreenivasan, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Definition of identifying

Verb

Rather than classifying didymo as an invasive species, Taylor refers to the algae as a native species that has an invasive-like growth form.

— Hannah Smith July 25, Idaho Statesman, 25 July 2026
The goal now is to get the children into foster care and eventually adopted, said officials, who are classifying the eldest as a minor despite being 18 because of her limitations.

— Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026

Definition of classifying

Adjective

Night after night, Swift would perform for more than three hours, running back her career one era at a time, each one its own world with distinctive sets, costumes, and colors.

— Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026
Trademark law protects distinctive brand identifiers—like words and symbols—that tell the public exactly who is behind a product.

— Ashlee Difuntorum, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of distinctive

Verb

Because humans have an extremely difficult time spotting the difference between authentic images and deepfakes, the crisis is all the more difficult to stop.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Aug. 2026
Whatever Holmes is toting or throwing over her shoulders, women across the major East Coast cities are spotting and swiftly adding to cart.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 31 July 2026

Definition of spotting

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distinguishes

distinguishing

distort

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“Distinguishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinguishing. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of distinguishing

adjective

verb

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