distinctions

noun

plural of distinction
1
as in advantages
a quality that gives something special worth has the distinction of being the oldest house in the city

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in accolades
public acknowledgment or admiration for an achievement I did all of the work, and the other guy got all the distinction

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in awards
something given in recognition of achievement won a number of distinctions in her long career as an actress

Synonyms & Similar 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 distinctions As the volume of information grows, the ability to make those distinctions becomes the skill. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026 The moral distinctions among mainstream business, the yakuza gangs, and the police were often blurry. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 The latest Michelin Guide awarded stars or distinctions to 11 restaurants that have temporarily or permanently closed because of the war. — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2026 The tracks differ in ways meaningful to the distinctions in responsibilities. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026 After all, casinos don’t bother to make distinctions, labeling all winning systems as criminal. — Kit Chellel, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026 Perhaps now is the time to start the long overdue work of drawing these lines and distinctions clearly again. — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026 How a blood pressure wearable actually works Not every device on your wrist does the same thing, and for anyone weighing a switch from an arm cuff, the distinctions are critical. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Sep. 2026 For the first time this season, Kyle Larson heads to Kansas Speedway with two specific distinctions. — Reid Spencer, Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinctions
  1. advantages
  2. accolades
  3. awards
  4. virtues
  5. glories
  6. prizes
  7. values
  8. honors
Noun
  • Firms that know exactly where the line sits hold quiet advantages their competitors cannot purchase or replicate.
    — Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Cue the whole nepo-baby brouhaha, the never-ending conversation about the professional advantages that come with a famous last name.
    — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of advantages
Noun
  • The first Chinese singer to appear on IFPI’s annual Global Digital Singles Chart, and the recipient of numerous accolades including Billboard’s Women in Music Global Force Award, Tia has steadily strengthened her international presence.
    — Billboard China, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Ditka's illustrious career and numerous accolades speak for themselves, but his stories and lasting impact will be remembered for generations.
    — Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of accolades
Noun
  • The jury will also bestow the best actor and actress awards, and may also award a screenplay award or an artistic achievement award.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The distributor will also submit Pullman for Best Supporting Actor, Metcalf for Best Supporting Actress and Lie for Best Actor in awards-season races.
    — Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of awards
Noun
  • For Monday meditation, the teaching group has assigned the 10 paramis (spiritual virtues) of Buddhism, which explore topics like generosity, wisdom and patience.
    — Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • What unites these seemingly disparate topics is Wilson’s knack for putting himself into scenarios with unusual people that lead him into unexpected territory—a lesson in the virtues of simple observation.
    — Alex Jhamb Burns, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of virtues
Noun
  • Eva Marie Saint, a revered actress whose two preeminent performances — On the Waterfront and North by Northwest — encapsulated the glories of the 1950s’ Hollywood studio system, died on Tuesday.
    — Tim Grierson, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The glories of some former age may be lamented, and our sympathies directed to parties judged righteous or wronged.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of glories
Noun
  • The whole affair had a playfully casual mood, with Edwards casually eating his dinner while presenting the prizes and gleefully razzing the winners during their acceptance speeches.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2026
  • More than 120,000 other SuperLotto Plus tickets sold in California also won prizes ranging from $1 to $1,613, the lottery said.
    — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of prizes
Noun
  • Businesses that rediscover its values will gain what their velocity-chasing competitors cannot buy, borrow, or automate.
    — Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • At the heart of all this is Silver's attempt to increase franchise values across the league.
    — Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of values
Noun
  • Among his official honors, he was named an officer of the French Order of Merit for his services to fashion by French President Emmanuel Macron last year.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Just a week after earning C-USA Special Teams Player of the Week honors by converting all five field-goal attempts, kicker Robert Czeremcha missed twice, including a potential game-tying kick at the end of regulation.
    — Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of honors

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distinction
distinctions
distinctive
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Cite this Entry

“Distinctions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinctions. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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