as in characteristic
serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group
a novice birder still learning the distinguishing features of various finches
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in characterizing
to be an important feature of
a collection of recipes distinguished by their ease and simplicity
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in noticing
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 classifying
to arrange or assign according to type
on the exam we were asked to distinguish the specimens by acidity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distinguishing
Scott Kramer, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
The original combat variant, which the company is already producing, will now carry the designation CA-1KA (Kinetic Attack), distinguishing it from the new electronic warfare model.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 14 June 2026
For the fourth phase, focused on distinguishing the home’s front and back entrances and installing an appealing garden visible from the front windows, Sterman challenged herself to do something different.
—Nicole Sours Larson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2026
Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum has focused on distinguishing between disappearances committed by organized crime and those forced by state agents.
—Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
This isn’t to say any of these teams would have challenged eventual champion LSU; the point is that distinguishing between teams 10 and 20 for inclusion in a 16-team CFP is virtually impossible.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 1 June 2026
The first distinguishing feature is the nature of the problem being attacked.
—Ethan Stone, USA Today, 29 May 2026
It was determined that the bird is likely an adult female Lesser Frigatebird, the distinguishing point being a visible presence of a white hindcollar on the bird — the area wrapping up around the back of its neck — which would be lacking on a Magnificent Frigatebird, Winkleman noted.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 28 May 2026
Many things work in Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed’s favor, distinguishing it from some of the duller comps in the past several years.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 27 May 2026
Verb
Behind the scenes, Spatial Hearing AI listens to the 3D acoustic environment and maps the soundscape, isolating each source and distinguishing between multiple speakers, so that devices can respond adaptively, guided by the context of their surroundings.
—Scott Kramer, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
The original combat variant, which the company is already producing, will now carry the designation CA-1KA (Kinetic Attack), distinguishing it from the new electronic warfare model.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 14 June 2026
For the fourth phase, focused on distinguishing the home’s front and back entrances and installing an appealing garden visible from the front windows, Sterman challenged herself to do something different.
—Nicole Sours Larson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2026
Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum has focused on distinguishing between disappearances committed by organized crime and those forced by state agents.
—Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
This isn’t to say any of these teams would have challenged eventual champion LSU; the point is that distinguishing between teams 10 and 20 for inclusion in a 16-team CFP is virtually impossible.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 1 June 2026
The first distinguishing feature is the nature of the problem being attacked.
—Ethan Stone, USA Today, 29 May 2026
It was determined that the bird is likely an adult female Lesser Frigatebird, the distinguishing point being a visible presence of a white hindcollar on the bird — the area wrapping up around the back of its neck — which would be lacking on a Magnificent Frigatebird, Winkleman noted.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 28 May 2026
Many things work in Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed’s favor, distinguishing it from some of the duller comps in the past several years.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 27 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinguishing
Adjective
-
After more talk of intimate moments that occurred during the shoot, and a few anecdotes about nipples, Shaver then redirected the conversation, lighting things up in her characteristic way.—
Elaina Patton,
IndieWire,
16 June 2026
-
If plutonium production were taking place inside a fusion reactor, the nuclear reactions involved would generate a characteristic antineutrino signal.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
There will be no differentiating paragraphs for the Spurs fans.—
David Troy OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
-
In the 1970s and 1980s, as violent fan hooliganism spread in England, Nevin says Scotland fans tacked the other way, differentiating themselves by being nice, making friends with everyone — and throwing a good party.—
Lauren Frayer,
NPR,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Supporters of the high-earner tax for public education have been quick to stress it’s been in place for more than a decade, characterizing any rollback of it as a tax cut for the wealthy.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
12 June 2026
-
So much of The Last Supper involved characterizing songs, movies, music videos, paintings, and so on.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Chicago police are asking for the public's help in identifying a suspect who stabbed another man during a fight on a CTA Blue Line train earlier this month.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
-
The leaders of three of the world’s most influential film festivals told Shanghai on Sunday that the role of the festival circuit in discovering and developing new voices has never been more critical – and that personal connection, not data, remains the truest compass for identifying talent.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Now, more people are noticing and appreciating it.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
13 June 2026
-
Cycle syncing is most useful as a framework for noticing your own patterns rather than a strict rulebook.—
Allison Palmer
Updated June 13,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
The team began sorting through possible origins for this high-energy neutrino particle by acting like cosmic forensic detectives, classifying the detection of the particle as a crime scene and hunting for potential clues that point toward a culprit.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
28 May 2026
-
Researchers debuted an inventory for classifying apocalyptic belief, comprising anthropogenic causality, theogenic causality, imminence, personal control, and the question of whether the end is a good or bad thing.—
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
26 May 2026
Adjective
-
For her first appearance at the Royal Ascot in three years, Middleton paired the neutral, beige heels with a bright yellow Roksanda dress featuring a distinctive bow detail at the shoulder and a midi-length skirt.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
17 June 2026
-
Unlike many symmetrical cuts, the pear shape has a distinctive sense of direction, creating movement and lending a stronger visual identity.—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
The sector is increasingly turning to the defense industry, spotting an opportunity to collaborate and capitalize upon the continent's rise in military spending.—
Joseph Wilkins,
CNBC,
17 June 2026
-
The waters here are considered some of the best for sailing and tarpon fishing, and there's a good chance of spotting dolphins and sea turtles.—
Ana Pelayo Connery,
Travel + Leisure,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distinguishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinguishing. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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