differentiate
verb
dif·fer·en·ti·ate
ˌdi-fə-ˈren(t)-shē-ˌāt 
differentiated; differentiating
1
mathematics
: to obtain the mathematical derivative (see derivative entry 1 sense 3) of
2
: to mark or show a difference in : constitute a contrasting element that distinguishes
features that differentiate the twins
how we differentiate ourselves from our competitors
3
: to develop differential or distinguishing characteristics in
What differentiated a laborer from another man …—
Sherwood Anderson
Sherwood Anderson4
biology
: to cause differentiation (see differentiation sense 3b) of in the course of development
cells that are differentiated from stem cells
5
: to express the specific distinguishing quality of : discriminate
differentiate poetry and prose
1
: to recognize or give expression to a difference
difficult to differentiate between the two
2
: to become distinct or different in character
3
biology
: to undergo differentiation (see differentiation sense 3b)
when the cells begin to differentiate
Examples of differentiate in a Sentence
The only thing that differentiates the twins is the color of their eyes.
it was hard at first to differentiate between the two styles of music
Recent Examples on the Web
The low-cut vamp differentiated itself from the traditional pump aesthetic with an angular square outline.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
Nor does the starring vehicle for Alexandra Daddario offer a concise, specific take to differentiate itself from Rice’s original — its own version of making Louis de Pointe du Lac (Jacob Anderson) a Black man who falls in love with his maker.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 26 Oct. 2025
What’s missing is the drive to differentiate themselves in the market, the speed to innovate and the willingness to act like the digital brands that once disrupted them.
—Astha Bhardwaj, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
Other than a window exposing the rear suspension, Ford did barely anything to differentiate the cockpit.
—Tim Stevens, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for differentiate
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Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
Nor does the starring vehicle for Alexandra Daddario offer a concise, specific take to differentiate itself from Rice’s original — its own version of making Louis de Pointe du Lac (Jacob Anderson) a Black man who falls in love with his maker.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 26 Oct. 2025
What’s missing is the drive to differentiate themselves in the market, the speed to innovate and the willingness to act like the digital brands that once disrupted them.
—Astha Bhardwaj, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
Other than a window exposing the rear suspension, Ford did barely anything to differentiate the cockpit.
—Tim Stevens, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for differentiate
Cite this Entry
“Differentiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/differentiate. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
differentiate
verb
dif·fer·en·ti·ate
ˌdif-ə-ˈren-chē-ˌāt
differentiated; differentiating
1
: to make or become different in some way
the color of their eyes differentiates the twins
2
: to undergo or cause to undergo differentiation in the course of development
3
: to see or state the difference or differences
differentiate between two plants
Medical Definition
differentiate
verb
dif·fer·en·ti·ate
ˌdif-ə-ˈren-chē-ˌāt
differentiated; differentiating
1
: to constitute a difference that distinguishes
the history of the injury also differentiates these two fractures—J. S. Keene et al.
J. S. Keene et al.2
: to cause differentiation of in the course of development
3
: to discriminate or give expression to a specific difference that distinguishes
quickly learned to differentiate sharp pain from dull pain
4
: to cause differentiation in (a specimen for microscopic examination) by staining
1
: to recognize or express a difference
differentiate between humans and the rest of the primates
2
: to undergo differentiation
when a B cell matures, it differentiates into a plasma cell that secretes antibodies—R. C. Gallo
R. C. GalloLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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