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
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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
-
These human failings are characteristic of popes up to the modern day.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Charmingly, the leap indicator was actually displayed on the 48 month subdial, something highly characteristic of the 5516.—
Thomas Wojtowicz,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 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
-
Prepare by identifying potential roadblocks and devising contingency plans.—
Mark Murphy,
Forbes,
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
-
The robot features distinctive family-style star ring lights and customizable movements through simulation learning and continuous evolution.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
8 Mar. 2025
-
Male sharks are also known to bite females during mating, leaving distinctive scars.—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Taste a sampling of their distinct bottlings (the Pét-Nat is a personal favorite) or sign up for one of Johan Vineyard's calendar events, like Lambapalooza (May 10)—a kid-friendly program with farm manager, Nathan Wood that weaves together wine and the estate's resident baby sheep.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
7 Mar. 2025
-
The choice of invisibility serves as a method of expression that is distilled from my unique experiences and distinct perspective on the world.—
Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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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
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In particular, health districts and hospitals are seeing more flu and pertussis, known as whooping cough.—
Carolyn Komatsoulis,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Higher sticker prices would hit the auto market even as the typical car now costs close to a near-record high of $50,000, and would likely add more financial strain on inflation-weary consumers.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2025
-
In the bit that aired during Sunday’s ceremony, Sandler was seen wearing his typical loose-fitting attire of a hoodie and gym shorts and jokingly stormed out of the Dolby Theatre when O’Brien called him out about it.—
Ryan Gajewski,
The Hollywood Reporter,
3 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distinguishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinguishing. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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