distances 1 of 2

noun

plural of distance
1
as in lengths
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 expanses
a wide space or area a region marked by great, featureless distances

Synonyms & Similar Words

distances

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of distance
1
as in retreats

Related Words

Dissimilar Words
2
as in ditches

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 distances
Noun
The intestinal villi provide a large surface area while allowing nutrients to move across relatively short distances. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026 Manual order processing or sending orders to the wrong location means longer shipping distances, higher labor costs and slower deliveries. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026 There were so few people living in this part of the country that, despite the distances separating them, many knew one another. — Jordan Salama, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 Flooding from the surge can vary greatly over short distances depending on the timing of the surge and tidal cycle. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026 This means that foods eaten closer to harvest retain more of their health benefits compared to ones that have to travel farther distances or sit longer on shelves. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 5 Oct. 2026 And Miami last weekend converted eight of 16 third-down attempts, mostly medium distances. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026 Reduce driving speeds, increase following distances and use only low beam headlights. — Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2026 Deputies at times exchanged fire with Spencer from distances of roughly 27 to 30 feet while flames burned through the surrounding forest. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distances
  1. lengths
  2. expanses
  3. retreats
  4. ditches
  5. spacings
  6. expansions
  7. recedes
  8. deserts
Noun
  • Putter lengths obviously differ and matches could be won/lost.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Their different lengths are intended to offer broadcasters alternative scheduling options.
    — Emiliano de Pablos, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of lengths
Noun
  • 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
  • Released three years after the similarly freewheeling Nekkuja, the album bubbles over with interdimensional ambition and zigzagging ideas, anchored by her ability to command bewildering expanses of melody and form.
    — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of expanses
Verb
  • But even as the characters reflect at length on the virtue of putting themselves out there, their series too often retreats within itself instead.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Olivia Studio60, Womack Studios, Disney+ A celebrity TV weatherman retreats with his daughter to his estranged father’s olive groves, reopening old wounds.
    — Emiliano de Pablos, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of retreats
Verb
  • To achieve its lightweight profile, the design ditches heavy front suspension forks found on many urban ebikes, opting instead for rigid aluminum.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 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 ditches
Noun
  • Several spacings and gaps were potential vermin entrances including spacing and gaps between floor boards, a vertical air gap along double front doors and on the ceiling above the ice cream chest freezer in the retail aisle.
    — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado Updated January 23, Sacbee.com, 23 Jan. 2026
  • More distant spacings will leave gaps in the bed.
    — Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2025
Definition of spacings
Noun
  • Over the past 10 years, Veronica Beard saw a period of significant growth, with a quick succession of store openings, product category launches and expansions.
    — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Just as significant, Hello has continued to keep the game vibrant with a constant stream of free expansions, including the recent Cosmos update in September, which fleshed out the vast expanse of space with more things to explore.
    — Andrew Webster, The Verge, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of expansions
Verb
  • Waseca County Sheriff Jay Dulas said no injuries were reported, but the extent of the damage remains unclear as water slowly recedes.
    — Jason Rantala, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Meanwhile, the narrator neither recedes nor reveals any substantial personal information.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of recedes
Verb
  • The lowland deserts with cacti and catclaw brush are Gambel’s quail habitat.
    — Ron Spomer, Outdoor Life, 19 Aug. 2026
  • And a $208 million Rural Health Transformation award now lets Arkansas confront the maternity care deserts the national conversation overlooks—because when the nearest delivery unit is an hour away, distance itself is a risk factor.
    — John Boozman, Time, 23 June 2026
Definition of deserts

Browse Nearby Words

distanced
distances
distancing
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Cite this Entry

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

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