tell the difference
idiom
: to see how two or more people or things are unlike each other
It's hard to tell the difference between one action movie and another.
The new version is supposed to be much better than the old one, but I can't tell the difference (between them).
Examples of tell the difference in a Sentence
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His perspective, explored here in the first of Newsweek's AI Impact interview series with Marcus Weldon, offers a crucial framework for understanding both the genuine promise and persistent limitations of artificial intelligence—and, most importantly, how to tell the difference.
—
Matt Robison, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025
The easiest way to tell the difference is that toxic black mold often has a stronger, more pungent smell.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 22 Feb. 2025
Other studies have shown that domestic fish can recognize human faces, and with more time, Soller believes these wild fish could tell the difference between divers based on their hair or other physical features.
—Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 18 Feb. 2025
The combination of pitted skin and foul odor is usually enough for a provider to tell the difference between pitted keratolysis and other similar foot conditions.
—Sarah Bradley, Health, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tell the difference
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Matt Robison, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025
The easiest way to tell the difference is that toxic black mold often has a stronger, more pungent smell.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 22 Feb. 2025
Other studies have shown that domestic fish can recognize human faces, and with more time, Soller believes these wild fish could tell the difference between divers based on their hair or other physical features.
—Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 18 Feb. 2025
The combination of pitted skin and foul odor is usually enough for a provider to tell the difference between pitted keratolysis and other similar foot conditions.
—Sarah Bradley, Health, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tell the difference
Cite this Entry
“Tell the difference.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tell%20the%20difference. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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