distance 1 of 2

noun

ˈdi-stən(t)s How to pronounce distance (audio)
Definition of distancenext
1
as in length
the space or amount of space between two points, lines, surfaces, or objects the distance between the earth and the sun is about 93 million miles

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in expanse
a wide space or area a region marked by great, featureless distances

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in difference
the quality or state of being different the brothers' personalities are like the distance between night and day

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

distance

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to retreat

Related Words

Dissimilar Words
2
as in to throw away

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 distance
Noun
For context, the franchise has never finished a regular season averaging 37 or more three-point attempts per game and hasn’t shot above 38% from distance across a single season since 2008-09 — the last time the club reached the NBA Finals. — Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Oct. 2026 Hartney recommends reviewing an itinerary’s activity descriptions with an older parent ahead of travel, paying attention to walking distances, terrain, elevation, long days, and how much free time is built in. — Jenn Sinrich, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
Even as Republicans distance themselves from an increasingly unpopular Trump ahead of the midterms, and even as Democrats prepare themselves for the potential for sweeping victories that could deliver them power in Congress, Farrar remains gloomy. — David MacK, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026 His approval ratings have hit notable lows and candidates in moderate districts have taken steps to distance themselves. — Casey Murray, Houston Chronicle, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for distance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distance
  1. length
  2. expanse
  3. difference
  4. retreat
  5. throw away
  6. width
  7. expansion
  8. distinctness
Noun
  • Putter lengths obviously differ and matches could be won/lost.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Nonprofit experts have raised questions about the length of service of the 1736 FCC’s board members.
    — Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of length
Noun
  • Everything is a little bit more rivets and angles, a little bit less wide expanse.
    — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Entrepreneur Emma Grede attributed her ability to keep brands relevant to her complete assuredness in her intuition, which was honed in the expanses of her triumphs—and failures.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of expanse
Noun
  • These functions can obscure crucial differences in how these activities are designed to reward users; a relatively small parlay wager can offer the possibility of an outsized, immediate payout if multiple outcomes occur.
    — Aneri Jambusaria, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The major difference is the old North Flag had a power reserve indicator, whereas the new one ditches that in favor of a GMT complication.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of difference
Verb
  • Meanwhile, conservative activists spread rumors last week that Talarico was struggling with his mental health and had secretly retreated to an Ohio hospital.
    — Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
  • While Chelsea tend to retreat after taking the lead, their opponents also become more aggressive in response, committing extra bodies forward and helping to create more open, end-to-end encounters.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of retreat
Verb
  • Advertisement Give broccoli stems a chance Jonathan Deutsch has watched fellow cooks buy cases of broccoli, cut off the florets, and throw away the stems.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
  • What to do nearby A stone’s throw away is the Water Street Market, a complex of shops that includes an antiques mall, the Grazery café, and a neighborhood tavern called Parish.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of throw away
Noun
  • Each channel measures roughly half the width of a human hair in depth.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Getty Images The University of Missouri Extension says the width of the brown stripe may be a better indication of the previous winter and spring than a prediction of the upcoming winter.
    — Ray Petelin, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of width
Noun
  • Blue Origin’s expansion reflects the infrastructure demands of a higher launch cadence.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
  • During her State of the Union address on 16th September, President von der Leyen committed to overhauling single market rules by the end of next year and advancing EU Inc to streamline cross-border expansion.
    — Sophie Dembinski, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of expansion
Noun
  • How can the sense of an absolute union of all matter be reconciled with the endless multiplicity and distinctness of it?
    — Christian Wiman, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
  • However, a few hours with Air Riders reveals the nuance and depth of its gameplay, the distinctness of this flavor of racing game and its sensory, chaotic, and strategic appeal.
    — Ryan Gaur, Rolling Stone, 19 Nov. 2025
Definition of distinctness

Phrases Containing distance

Browse Nearby Words

distains
distance
distanced
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Distance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distance. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of fervid

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All