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
Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Every bakery has its distinguishing products, and for Upper Crust those include its Black Gold cookies, Paraguayan cornbread and Italian cream cake.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 29 Jan. 2026
The former student’s language skills aided the project and was a distinguishing factor over Texas candidates, Lewis said.
—Eleanor Dearman
updated January 27, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Jan. 2026
If the weather permits, take a seat by one of the school’s most distinguishing features, the Sunken Garden.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 27 Jan. 2026
By distinguishing between temporary and irreversible material changes, the new monitoring method provides a great basis for improving the tests.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 27 Jan. 2026
Creating a dedicated deck for intimate meals—including formal five-course dinners prepared by the boat’s Ecuadorian chef with an all-inclusive wine and spirits menu—was central to distinguishing Hermes’s offering.
—Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 26 Jan. 2026
Opportunism did seem to be Henie’s distinguishing trait.
—Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 26 Jan. 2026
Even their games are similar, but there are a few distinguishing nuances.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026
Verb
Markets eventually stopped distinguishing between the individual governor's credentials and started pricing institutional credibility itself.
—Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Every bakery has its distinguishing products, and for Upper Crust those include its Black Gold cookies, Paraguayan cornbread and Italian cream cake.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 29 Jan. 2026
The former student’s language skills aided the project and was a distinguishing factor over Texas candidates, Lewis said.
—Eleanor Dearman
updated January 27, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Jan. 2026
If the weather permits, take a seat by one of the school’s most distinguishing features, the Sunken Garden.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 27 Jan. 2026
By distinguishing between temporary and irreversible material changes, the new monitoring method provides a great basis for improving the tests.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 27 Jan. 2026
Creating a dedicated deck for intimate meals—including formal five-course dinners prepared by the boat’s Ecuadorian chef with an all-inclusive wine and spirits menu—was central to distinguishing Hermes’s offering.
—Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 26 Jan. 2026
Opportunism did seem to be Henie’s distinguishing trait.
—Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 26 Jan. 2026
Even their games are similar, but there are a few distinguishing nuances.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinguishing
Adjective
-
The mice with cancer remained free of the plaques characteristic of cognitive decline.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Consequently, the characteristic 'raccoon eyes' seen after rhinoplasty has become uncommon with Piezo surgery.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
Ascend Agency,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But to Payton, once that line is satisfied, grit is a differentiating factor.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Neither film nor actor seems concerned with differentiating between reality and fiction.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Conservatives, currently led by Kemi Badenoch, slammed Braverman following her defection, characterizing her as an inevitable turncoat and questioning her mental faculties.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Federal prosecutors reportedly investigated federal contractors that consider diversity, characterizing such initiatives as fraud.—
Spencer Overton,
The Conversation,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
And expect to participate as a student of Spanish, identifying objects and colors as if in a beginner’s class.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The Larimer County coroner will be responsible for identifying the driver after the family has been notified and an autopsy has been conducted, per the Denver Gazette.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Tarzan This late-episode highlight just has a very funny conceit (Tarzan breaks up with Jane after noticing several red flags) paired with a host who has the benefit of having played this character before in a big-budget film.—
Charu Sinha,
Vulture,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Regulars started noticing that certain locations had quietly changed or removed their fries.—
Jessica Mekles,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Young Women’s Leadership Academy has students in grades 6-12 and has an 85% minority population, with 65% of total students classifying as Hispanic and 20% as African-American.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The State Department regularly updates advisories and warnings for destinations around the world, classifying them from its lowest Level 1 advisory to its highest Level 4.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The result was the emergence of a distinctive national cinema that speaks both to universal human experiences and to specifically Korean concerns.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
And in order to do that, based on what clear, distinctive competence?—
Big Think,
Big Think,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Dutch, spotting an old man approaching in a canoe, sent out a sloop to investigate.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Here’s where naming a Wall Street pro who’s a master of spotting where danger’s building may prove a hedge against a future calamity.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distinguishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinguishing. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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