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
-
The immune system responds to these accumulations, sending macrophage white blood cells to engulf the cholesterol, which then turn into foam cells that aggregate in the skin, forming the yellowish plaques characteristic of xanthelasma.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
24 Jan. 2025
-
The nose features the spice and herbal notes characteristic of rye whiskeys, with pine, mint, and eucalyptus notes followed by citrus zest, floral potpourri, and herbal aromas.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 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
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His distinctive dance moves quickly went viral— the dance looks like someone standing in place and pumping their arms back and forth, as if trying to dry their back with an invisible towel.—
Phil Harrell,
NPR,
20 Jan. 2025
-
In some ways, because of their ability to secure bigger hits and Goosebumps’ multigenerational focus, the anthology series acts as a period piece and time capsule, sonically capturing two distinctive moments and their music trends.—
Abbey White,
The Hollywood Reporter,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The relationship between hardware and software is equally similar and distinct—both serve the disabled community, but both serve in different ways, with some individuals requiring one over the other.—
Grant Stoner,
WIRED,
30 Jan. 2025
-
Wood Snake, in particular, makes this year distinct from the next.—
Skyler Caruso,
People.com,
29 Jan. 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
-
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
-
On a typical day, when relaxing, Elizabeth can sit at her chabudai (a low Japanese tea table), look out her circle window and enjoy the seasons.—
Tribune News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Jan. 2025
-
The region added nearly 20,000 new apartments last year, about double the typical pace seen in recent years.—
Aldo Svaldi,
The Denver Post,
24 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near distinguishing
Cite this Entry
“Distinguishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinguishing. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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