1
as in to differentiate
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to characterize
to be an important feature of
a collection of recipes distinguished by their ease and simplicity
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to identify
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 to notice
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 to classify
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 distinguish
The measure enables police to act swiftly, distinguishing squatters from legal tenants.
—
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2025
This allows the radar to efficiently distinguish the tight circulation of a tornado.
—Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 30 May 2025
Also, by ensuring that college players can’t pursue long-term or indefinite careers in college football, the rules allegedly distinguish college sports as distinct from minor league sports.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 28 May 2025
In his book The Spirit Molecule, about the first modern study that administered DMT to humans, the psychiatrist Rick Strassman uses a TV metaphor to distinguish the drug’s effects from those of other psychoactive substances.
—Andy Greenberg, Wired News, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for distinguish
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2025
This allows the radar to efficiently distinguish the tight circulation of a tornado.
—Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 30 May 2025
Also, by ensuring that college players can’t pursue long-term or indefinite careers in college football, the rules allegedly distinguish college sports as distinct from minor league sports.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 28 May 2025
In his book The Spirit Molecule, about the first modern study that administered DMT to humans, the psychiatrist Rick Strassman uses a TV metaphor to distinguish the drug’s effects from those of other psychoactive substances.
—Andy Greenberg, Wired News, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for distinguish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinguish
Verb
-
Other innovations include behavioral biometrics, which measure unique user behavior, such as typing patterns and mouse movements, and liveness detection tools that differentiate between real people and deepfakes.—
Gary Drenik,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
-
The Democrats on stage, though largely agreeing about policy, sought to differentiate themselves.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2025
Verb
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The outline of the initial report — a contract extension for Crow-Armstrong potentially worth around $75 million — has been characterized as inaccurate.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
-
Scott, a former two-term governor of the Sunshine State and no stranger to working with the agency while battling major hurricanes, characterized FEMA as rife with fraud that does little more than write checks for post-disaster cleanup.—
Hailey Bullis,
The Washington Examiner,
26 May 2025
Verb
-
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue pronounced the driver, who was not identified, dead at the scene.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2025
-
The victims were identified as Fraime Ubaldo, 30; Marangely Moreno Santiago, 26; Evangeline Ubaldo Moreno, 4; and Sebastián Ubaldo Moreno, 2, the Associated Press reported, citing officials.—
Nicole Acosta,
People.com,
5 June 2025
Verb
-
Other journalists noticed a drop-off in performance for the convertibles, and probably more so than the mild weight gains of just about 100 lbs (45 kg) might suggest.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
ArsTechnica,
30 May 2025
-
Karen Walsh began to notice a change in her husband back in 2017.—
Jon Hamilton,
NPR,
30 May 2025
Verb
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Some would impose net neutrality requirements or classify ISPs as utilities, the filing said.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 May 2025
-
Birders and organizations such as the American Ornithological Society have always classified them as separate species.—
Elay Shech,
The Conversation,
30 May 2025
Verb
-
The odiferous hypocrisy of this administration is visible to everyone who has discerning eyes — or a sense of smell.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
29 May 2025
-
But spectacle alone doesn’t captivate those with a discerning eye.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
23 May 2025
Verb
-
If finding indoor shelter is not an option: Stay away from open fields, hill summits, or ridge tops.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
7 June 2025
-
Fears that a serial killer is at large were reignited by the recent discovery of a body in a Texas lake, where 19 corpses have been found over the past three years.—
Sophie Clark,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 June 2025
Verb
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Wolff did admit that seeing the positives were difficult, aside from the apparent step in tire management.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
-
Buy tickets to see your favorite artist and savor an unforgettable concert.—
Essence,
Essence,
2 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distinguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinguish. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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