Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective distinctive contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of distinctive are characteristic, individual, and peculiar. While all these words mean "indicating a special quality or identity," distinctive indicates qualities distinguishing and uncommon and often superior or praiseworthy.

a distinctive aura of grace and elegance

When could characteristic be used to replace distinctive?

The meanings of characteristic and distinctive largely overlap; however, characteristic applies to something that distinguishes or identifies a person or thing or class.

responded with her characteristic wit

When might individual be a better fit than distinctive?

The words individual and distinctive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, individual stresses qualities that distinguish one from all other members of the same kind or class.

a highly individual writing style

When is it sensible to use peculiar instead of distinctive?

While in some cases nearly identical to distinctive, peculiar applies to qualities possessed only by a particular individual or class or kind and stresses rarity or uniqueness.

an eccentricity that is peculiar to the British

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 distinctive Article Zina Outdoor Counter Stool $199 Article Warmer weather calls for al fresco meals, and this indigo blue bar stool from Article can bring a distinctive hue to the rest of your outdoor palette. Kelly Dawson, Architectural Digest, 28 May 2025 These are the type of stories that have long helped make the modern US military so distinctive. John Blake, CNN Money, 26 May 2025 Now, Robbins is using his whip-smart humor and distinctive social media persona to address a very real problem: the diaper crisis. Erin Lassner, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2025 Maldito’s distinctive take on femininity is applied to the boots, with a wavy bow adorning the shaft. Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for distinctive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinctive
Adjective
  • Young, a British Columbia native who played for three different colleges and spent seven seasons in the minors before playing for the Doosan Bears in South Korea last season, hit his fourth career Major League homer and his first since September 2009 with the Chicago Cubs.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 28 May 2025
  • But Mbappe chose to distance himself from that debate and his opening season was different to Ronaldo’s.
    Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 28 May 2025
Adjective
  • There is a distinct difference between the two eras.
    Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 30 May 2025
  • Within such simulations, there will be three distinct participant groups: 1.
    Ivan Shvaichenko, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • PrideFest 2025 is packed with incredible entertainment, diverse vendors, and family-friendly activities.
    PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 7 June 2025
  • After the show ended, many cast members pursued diverse paths in acting, directing, and even politics, each carrying a piece of the show's legacy with them.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 7 June 2025
Adjective
  • However, each object is characteristic of its community, made with different varieties of flint and in a particular shape.
    The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 5 June 2025
  • This inherent volatility is characteristic of emerging technologies but represents a significant hurdle for widespread adoption.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Adjective
  • This choice allows the plants to make maximum use of the soil's water and nutrients resources, particularly important in the poor soils and arid climates typical of Apulia.
    Elisabetta Tosi, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
  • Ordinarily, between 1,700 and 2,000 job orders are posted during a typical day shift, and between 1,100 and 1,400 are posted during a standard night shift.
    Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Distinctive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinctive. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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