DISTINGUISH Synonyms: 154 Similar and Opposite Words

distinguish

verb

di-ˈstiŋ-(g)wish

Definition of distinguish

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

as in to characterize

to be an important feature of a collection of recipes distinguished by their ease and simplicity

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

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

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 distinguish In its latest report, however, the MOH does not distinguish how many terrorists were among those killed in the conflict. — Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026 The 10th Circuit, however, carefully distinguished Colorado’s program from the ones in those landmark rulings. — Preston Green Iii, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026 Bumble distinguished itself by only allowing women to message first, eventually going public in 2021 at a $14 billion valuation, before scrapping its hallmark rule this year amid declining users. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2026 For health care CFOs, the challenge is distinguishing between an AI tool that speeds up billing and one that helps patients get the right care in the right setting—potentially changing the economics of care itself. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for distinguish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinguish

Verb

In other words, employers are less able to rely on cover letters to differentiate one candidate from the next.

— Christina Wyman, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
Bringing these creative brands together, giving producers access to a broader pool of talent, IP and resources, while preserving their independence is what differentiates Mediawan.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of differentiate

Verb

Adam Hamilton Hamilton, the Democratic nominee, has characterized the war as a major foreign policy blunder.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
Shigella bacteria cause shigellosis, an illness characterized by severe diarrhea, that is sometimes bloody or prolonged, and fever.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of characterize

Verb

Be intentional about noticing autumn and Halloween displays on lawns and porches, which seem as popular as ever this year.

— Dana Kelley, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
They are focused on inspecting what is known as the Taraia Object, a visual anomaly that has been visible in aerial photos dating back to 1938 but was first noticed in satellite imagery in 2020.

— Lana Zak, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of notice

Verb

Improvements to LinkedIn’s detection systems have resulted in a 40% decline in views of content classified as AI slop, the platform said last month.

— Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026
Just 9% of Porter’s 3-point attempts were classified as wide open, the lowest share among 307 players who took at least 100 3s.

— C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of classify

Verb

Even if consumers have difficulty discerning chemicals in flossing products, the environmental scientist encourages people not to stop flossing.

— Margaret Hetherman The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
Echo chambers, firehoses of information, discerning what’s real and what’s AI-generated, all accumulate to chip away at trust.

— Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of discern

Verb

Yet the clubs from small markets with relatively low payrolls found ways to play the best baseball in each of their respective leagues this season en route to the World Series.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2026
Other organizations linked to Page, including Flu Lab LLC, One Aero, and Oceankind, were also incorporated in Delaware that month, after previously being in California, Rogelberg’s analysis of state filings found.

— Sydney Lake, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of find

Verb

Protesters, many of whom have been seen carrying Palestinian flags, have set fire to historic buildings and attacked civilians.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 20 Oct. 2026
American Transmission Company, a utility firm that develops and manages high-voltage transmission lines, has seen rapid growth, in part thanks to the AI and data center buildout.

— Ted Kitterman, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026