1
as in excellence
exceptionally high quality
a shop selling native handicrafts of distinction
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in advantage
a quality that gives something special worth
has the distinction of being the oldest house in the city
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in accolade
public acknowledgment or admiration for an achievement
I did all of the work, and the other guy got all the distinction
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in dominance
the fact or state of being above others in rank or importance
a number of physicians of national distinction serve on the staff of the teaching hospital
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in award
something given in recognition of achievement
won a number of distinctions in her long career as an actress
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in difference
the quality or state of being different
the distinction between the two photographic prints escapes me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in separation
the state of being kept distinct
the distinction between liberty and license is often violated in today's freewheeling society
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 distinction
That distinction became all the more evident when Brown’s replacement was revealed.
—
Risa Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 8 Apr. 2025
His passion for the job recently earned him the distinction of being the National Direct Support Professional of the Year by the American Network of Community Options and Resources.
—Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
But that might be a distinction without a difference.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 7 Apr. 2025
And the dire wolf may have the distinction, after the poor bucardo, of being the second species brought back to life only to die again.
—D. T. Max, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distinction
Risa Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 8 Apr. 2025
His passion for the job recently earned him the distinction of being the National Direct Support Professional of the Year by the American Network of Community Options and Resources.
—Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
But that might be a distinction without a difference.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 7 Apr. 2025
And the dire wolf may have the distinction, after the poor bucardo, of being the second species brought back to life only to die again.
—D. T. Max, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distinction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinction
Noun
-
Your business will reach new levels of excellence while protecting your team and your sanity.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
-
This wide array of automobile excellence displays how the automotive industry has transformed from usage to power, comfort, luxury or efficiency.—
Marc D. Grasso,
New York Daily News,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The Stars finished with a 50-26-6 record, edging out Colorado for second in the division and home ice advantage in this series.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Apr. 2025
-
The District 3 race could also play a key role on whether Mahan successfully implements his policy agenda over the next year, as his bloc currently holds a slim voting advantage on the dais that could shift if Quevedo does not win the seat.—
Devan Patel,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The honor adds to a long list of accolades in her extraordinary career.—
Kim Elsesser,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
But the gritty crime drama is more than deserving of its accolades, and Goggins, as Detective Shane Vendrell, is a major reason for its success.—
Daniel Dockery,
Vulture,
6 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Artificial intelligence infrastructure has emerged as the critical battleground for cloud computing dominance.—
Maribel Lopez,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
-
Two influential New York City labor unions that backed Mayor Eric Adams in 2021 switched their support on Monday to former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, reflecting his growing dominance as the race for mayor accelerates.—
Nicholas Fandos,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Her military career spans deployments in the Pacific and Persian Gulf as a helicopter pilot, command of a joint reconstruction team in Afghanistan, and a Bronze Star award.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Watkins is only the fourth sophomore to win the coveted award.—
Brad Adgate,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
But the truth is, neurological differences really are a superpower.—
As told to Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
15 Apr. 2025
-
The difference lies in how these services implement restrictions.—
Andrew Filev,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Emulsifiers are peacemakers that help ease the tension at oil-water boundaries to prevent separation.—
Ali Bouzari,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Moves like this challenge the separation of powers and the politicization of regulatory agencies.—
Doug Melville,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Education was considered an individual pursuit marked by moral excellency and only the students who did the best in school would have proceeded to higher education.—
Sara Novak,
Discover Magazine,
12 Nov. 2024
-
Education was considered an individual pursuit marked by moral excellency and only the students who did the best in school would have proceeded to higher education.—
Sara Novak,
Discover Magazine,
12 Nov. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Distinction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinction. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share