differentiate

verb

ˌdi-fə-ˈren(t)-shē-ˌāt How to pronounce differentiate (audio)
Definition of differentiatenext
as in to distinguish
to understand or point out the difference in it was hard at first to differentiate between the two styles of music

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 differentiate What differentiates the Museum Voorlinden from other collector museums around the world? — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026 As outlined above, the biggest challenge in assembling the list was differentiating between importance and form. — Dan Kilpatrick, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2026 Beyond these table-stakes requirements for successful deposit marketing, community banks can differentiate via marketing in a number of ways. — Brian Reilly, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026 The easiest way to differentiate between jams, preserves, and fruit spreads is by the texture of the fruit. — Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for differentiate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for differentiate
  1. distinguish
  2. discriminate
Verb
  • On the aesthetic front, Vanadium Grey Metallic accents on the sideview-mirror covers, the wheels, the model-designation decals on the doors, and on the badge at the rear help distinguish the latest Carrera T from its siblings.
    — Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
  • For Jekyll-Hyde, the costumes are crucial and add to the characterization, distinguishing the two men inhabiting the same body.
    — Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of distinguish
Verb
  • And, how good are plants at discriminating against multiple different strains simultaneously?
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Waymo sells its service as a remedy for prejudice (because robot drivers won’t discriminate against Black people) and for transit deserts (a claim Uber and Lyft also used to make).
    — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of discriminate

Browse Nearby Words

differential
differentiate
differentiated
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Cite this Entry

“Differentiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/differentiate. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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