DISTINGUISHING Synonyms: 190 Similar and Opposite Words

distinguishing 1 of 2

adjective

as in characteristic

serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group a novice birder still learning the distinguishing features of various finches

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

distinguishing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of distinguish

as in differentiating

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in characterizing

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in identifying

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 noticing

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 classifying

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 distinguishing

Verb

However, recent scholarship posits that the structure was used as ordinary (rather than punitive) housing, and that the vulgar decor was in fact a distinguishing characteristic of the epoch. — Jim Greer, SPIN, 3 Sep. 2026 This is particularly useful because deer are often active during twilight, when detecting predators can be more important than distinguishing a broad range of colors. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Sep. 2026 In recent years, white supremacists have embraced the concept of lactose intolerance as a distinguishing debility of nonwhite people. — Hilary Smith, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026 The app offers a free entry-level service, while distinguishing itself with an option for 3-D modeling of a client’s cellar, starting at $1,500 to $5,000. — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 23 Aug. 2026 Combat emphasizes deliberate blade-on-blade action, parries, and Oni abilities, distinguishing it from Soulslikes. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026 Its license plate readers capture plate numbers along with vehicle characteristics such as make, model and color, and some Flock systems can identify distinguishing features such as bumper stickers or aftermarket modifications. — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Seats are wrapped in charcoal Mojave PurLuxe Premium upholstery, accented by contrast blue stitching and matching blue seatbelts, distinguishing it instantly from lower-tier Gravity variants. — New Atlas, 19 Aug. 2026 But the most important factor distinguishing Jonestown from the other left-wing movements of its time was a singularly evil leader. — James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinguishing

Adjective

If physical gestures serve our relatives just fine, why did our own branch of the family tree gradually favor biological changes in our brains and anatomy that permitted our characteristic complexities in language and precision in speech?

— Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
And in relation to me and Baba—so much of that inability to express affection is characteristic of son-father relationships in Arab families and has so much to do with how both of us were taught what a man should behave like.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of characteristic

Verb

But cultivating consumer trust, as opposed to pursuing rapid product expansion and chasing virality, has become a defining — and differentiating — aspect of Westman Atelier’s go-to-market model.

— Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
Meta is differentiating its new AI coding tool and Muse Spark family of models by price rather than capabilities when compared to popular offerings from from Anthropic and OpenAI, Wang said.

— Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of differentiating

Verb

Fazio hammered that note on a few occasions, characterizing Lamont’s tenure as one in which education is worse than when the governor started.

— Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 28 Aug. 2026
That meant probing the components and characterizing their functions.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of characterizing

Verb

That day in the spring brought the work of several tenacious investigators – with the assist of genetic genealogy – closer to identifying the remains.

— Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026
And many doctors who certify deaths in emergency rooms and hospitals, or for patients who die at home, don't have protocols for confidently identifying heat impacts, says Khatana.

— Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of identifying

Verb

Researchers identified the activity in May after noticing unusual edits and messages appearing across the site.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026
So far, demolition has revolved around the lower sections of the structures, but soon, daily commuters will likely begin noticing the steady changes.

— Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of noticing

Verb

The following conversation touches on Rock's latest project and process, writing young characters and classifying his own work into a genre.

— Zachary Fletcher, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Edwards and Magee spent decades classifying them, and the most important distinction is between a breakaway gap and everything else.

— Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of classifying

Adjective

These challenging conditions are precisely what make a summer off-road safari such a distinctive way to experience Iceland’s rugged interior.

— Gwen Nicol, Travel + Leisure, 29 Aug. 2026
Meghna Gulzar has a very distinctive voice and an ability to approach difficult subjects with both restraint and intensity.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of distinctive

Verb

Authorities in Indiana are warning residents to be vigilant after a person reported spotting a several-hundred-pound lioness and a large cub roaming in one central county.

— Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Your best shot at spotting a rocket launch from Jacksonville is to get as close to the beach as possible or get away from trees to get a clear view of the sky and look due south.

— Lianna Norman, Florida Times-Union, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of spotting

Browse Nearby Words

distinguishes

distinguishing

distort

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Distinguishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinguishing. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of distinguishing

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

inexorable

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes