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
1
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
2
as in characterizing
to be an important feature of
a collection of recipes distinguished by their ease and simplicity
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
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
4
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
5
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
Taylor Brown, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Researchers say that their discovery has helped tremendously in distinguishing the theropods of this region, which were poorly known before.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 1 Jan. 2025
In times of uncertainty, distinguishing between reliable information and speculation becomes crucial.
—Ian Shepherd, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
As generative AI continues to accelerate, distinguishing between real and fake content online is becoming nearly impossible.
—Steven Smith, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
His administration attracted worldwide praise for distinguishing itself with a firm commitment to international human rights.
—Justin Doom, ABC News, 29 Dec. 2024
Russian speakers in the experiment proved faster than English speakers at distinguishing shades that corresponded to that lexical distinction.
—Manvir Singh, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
While the ambitious stories and powerful performances help Farscape stand out in small-screen sci-fi, the most distinguishing aspect is the awesome muppets, courtesy of the Jim Henson Company.
—Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 22 Dec. 2024
One of the distinguishing frameworks of the Edo period banquet was the presentation of the courses on trays.
—Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2024
Verb
This involves distinguishing between the data plane, where information is transferred, and the control plane, which governs processes without directly handling the data itself.
—Taylor Brown, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Researchers say that their discovery has helped tremendously in distinguishing the theropods of this region, which were poorly known before.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 1 Jan. 2025
In times of uncertainty, distinguishing between reliable information and speculation becomes crucial.
—Ian Shepherd, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
As generative AI continues to accelerate, distinguishing between real and fake content online is becoming nearly impossible.
—Steven Smith, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
His administration attracted worldwide praise for distinguishing itself with a firm commitment to international human rights.
—Justin Doom, ABC News, 29 Dec. 2024
Russian speakers in the experiment proved faster than English speakers at distinguishing shades that corresponded to that lexical distinction.
—Manvir Singh, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
While the ambitious stories and powerful performances help Farscape stand out in small-screen sci-fi, the most distinguishing aspect is the awesome muppets, courtesy of the Jim Henson Company.
—Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 22 Dec. 2024
One of the distinguishing frameworks of the Edo period banquet was the presentation of the courses on trays.
—Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinguishing
Adjective
-
Those characteristic Starfleet nacelles are kept well away from the ship to protect the crew from an unwanted warping.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
14 Mar. 2025
-
The cell’s attempt to repair this damage can result in a characteristic pattern of mutations – such as the signature being sought here – which serves as a molecular record indicating past haloalkane exposure.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
With this approach, grocers can display all store items online, differentiating between those immediately available and those available at a future date.—
Devadas Pattathil,
Forbes,
19 Dec. 2024
-
Many of these startups position themselves as AI search engines centered on scholarly research—each with differentiating product features and target audiences.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
18 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Those images were released as police requested the public's assistance in identifying the man, who fled the train.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
31 Dec. 2024
-
Still, researchers are working on identifying biomarkers in gut bacteria that someday could help tailor decisions on how to use existing therapies — or develop new treatments.—
Andrea Muraskin,
NPR,
31 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The National Labor Relations Board issued a complaint Wednesday against the popular Netflix dating show, classifying its stars as employees and accusing the program of several labor violations.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA TODAY,
13 Dec. 2024
-
Those deaths aren't counted in our statistics, and that's primarily because of the difficulty in classifying those deaths in a disaster.—
Melody Schreiber,
NPR,
13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
That distinctive flavor transfers to the rum, as well — Single Estate is clearly a member of the extended Mount Gay family, but its richness, depth and complexity still stand out from the rest of the line.—
Tony Sachs,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
-
The distinctive flavor of oregano grows more pronounced the hotter and drier its growing conditions and is typically best just prior to flowering.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Despite sounding the same, the sewing and cooking meanings may have distinct origins but evolved similarly in English.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
-
This fantasy set-up is the catalyst for a journey of reconnection for mother and father, May and Cody, across a variety of brilliantly distinct levels.—
Lewis Gordon,
Vulture,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Saint Alphonsus is still seeing some sporadic RSV cases and typical COVID cases for this time of year, Kitamura said.—
Carolyn Komatsoulis,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Jan. 2025
-
The games have been about playing spoiler in the NFC playoff picture and seeing what on this 2024 roster is transferrable to the future.—
Saad Yousuf,
The Athletic,
5 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Hamilton is not the first driver to attempt to fulfill a childhood dream by ending his racing career in typical midlife crisis style — in his 40s with a brand new Ferrari and a second family.—
Olivia Hicks,
NPR,
15 Mar. 2025
-
Still, the market behavior to date – as dizzying and against-consensus has it’s been – has not deviated enough from a typical setback in a post-election growth scare to insist that the rules for assessing this market’s prospects have changed definitively with the leadership the White House.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
15 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distinguishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinguishing. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share