View synonyms for

distinction

[ dih-stingk-shuhn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a marking off or distinguishing as different:
His distinction of sounds is excellent.
the recognizing or noting of differences; discrimination:
to make a distinction between right and wrong.
a discrimination made between things as different; special regard or favoritism:
Death comes to all without distinction.
condition of being different; difference:
There is a distinction between what he says and what he does.
Antonyms:
a distinguishing quality or characteristic:
It has the distinction of being the oldest house in the town.
a distinguishing or treating with special honor, attention, or favor.
an act of bestowing, or a mark of, honor or favor.
marked superiority; note; eminence.
Synonyms: ,
distinguished distinguished appearance.
Obsolete. division; separation.

distinction

/ ��ɪˈ��ɪŋ��ʃə�� /

noun

the act or an instance of distinguishing or differentiating
a distinguishing feature
the state of being different or distinguishable
special honour, recognition, or fame
excellence of character; distinctive qualities
a man of distinction
distinguished appearance
a symbol of honour or rank

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Other Word Forms

�徱��·�پ��Գ�t��ǲ�·�� adjective
��ܲ�d��·�پ��Գ�t��ǲ� noun
�ܲ�d��·�徱��·�پ��Գ�t��ǲ� noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of distinction¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English distinccioun, from Anglo-French, from Latin �徱��پ��Գ��پ�ō��-, stem of �徱��پ��Գ��پ�ō “difference”; equivalent to distinct + -ion

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Synonym Study

Distinction and difference may both refer to perceivable dissimilarities and, in this meaning, may be used interchangeably: There is a distinction ( difference ) between the two. Distinction, however, usually suggests the perception of dissimilarity, as the result of analysis and discrimination: a carefully made distinction between two treatments of the same theme; whereas difference refers only to the condition of being dissimilar: the difference between Gothic and Roman architecture. “A distinction without a difference” is a way of referring to an artificial or false discrimination. See honor.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

If policy rests upon transparently flawed economic reasoning or arbitrary distinctions lacking rational explanation, courts not only have the authority but also the constitutional duty to intervene.

From

If chosen by his peers, the influential Cardinal Turkson would likewise have the distinction of being the first African pope for 1,500 years.

From

But that distinction wasn’t clearly made either in the HHS press release or at Kennedy’s news conference.

From

I know the distinction between experience and dogma.

From

And they argue that a distinction should be drawn between Chinese investments in vital infrastructure and investments into UK firms which own consumer brands where the potential for public harm is considerably lower.

From

Related Words

distinct distinctive

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