1
as in different
being not of the same kind
she seems to alternate between two distinctive hairstyles
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2
as in distinct
serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group
the distinctive odor of a barnyard
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Recent Examples of distinctive
The barracas have long added colorful flair to the coastline, with creative advertisements and distinctive flags.
—
Dado Galdieri, New York Times, 6 July 2025
With roots in Benin through her Nigerian mother and Beninese father, Kidjo's impact transcends her celebrated music and distinctive Mama Africa persona.
—Ime Ekpo, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
The dress, a cotton poplin A-line shirt dress, featured a sharp collar, button-down front, and a distinctive grosgrain tab at the waist adorned with Thom Browne’s signature red, white and blue stripe — a quiet tribute to the holiday’s colors.
—Wwd Staff, Footwear News, 5 July 2025
The long white dress with a distinctive cutout is a vintage Tom Ford-era Gucci gown from the Fall 1996 collection.
—Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for distinctive
Dado Galdieri, New York Times, 6 July 2025
With roots in Benin through her Nigerian mother and Beninese father, Kidjo's impact transcends her celebrated music and distinctive Mama Africa persona.
—Ime Ekpo, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
The dress, a cotton poplin A-line shirt dress, featured a sharp collar, button-down front, and a distinctive grosgrain tab at the waist adorned with Thom Browne’s signature red, white and blue stripe — a quiet tribute to the holiday’s colors.
—Wwd Staff, Footwear News, 5 July 2025
The long white dress with a distinctive cutout is a vintage Tom Ford-era Gucci gown from the Fall 1996 collection.
—Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for distinctive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinctive
Adjective
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Does this album feel different from other projects after achieving that sense of liberation?—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
14 July 2025
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Silver’s Dual Role as a Precious and Industrial Metal Silver’s story is a little different, but no less compelling.—
Frank Holmes,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
Linkin Park manages to push three distinct projects north on the same chart at the same time, as consumption of the Grammy-winning act’s catalog continues to grow.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2025
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Among the graffiti was a drawing of a crying woman with a distinct Flavian period hairstyle, as well as the Greek alphabet.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
5 July 2025
Adjective
-
The menu offers a diverse selection, from classic pizzas and pastas to burgers, sandwiches, steaks, salmon, and fresh salads.—
Korrin Bishop,
Southern Living,
13 July 2025
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Some of the last barriers to acceptance of AI as nearing AGI are overcome when AI demonstrates creativity, emotional nuance, and abstract reasoning in diverse contexts.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
Adjective
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That’s a characteristic Amorim associates with Heaven.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
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Measles symptoms Initial measles symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a characteristic rash that begins to develop a few days later.—
Nicole Brown Chau,
CBS News,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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The size of a typical studio apartment is 500 to 600 square feet.—
Kate Talerico,
Mercury News,
14 July 2025
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Among the amenities typical of a hotel, the lodge complex included a saloon, a deli, a coffee shop, a post office, a gift shop, and a visitors center.—
Perry Vandell,
AZCentral.com,
13 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distinctive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinctive. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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