Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for

distinguish

[ dih-sting-gwish ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to mark off as different (often followed by from or by ):

    He was distinguished from the other boys by his height.

  2. to recognize as distinct or different; recognize the salient or individual features or characteristics of:

    It is hard to distinguish her from her twin sister.

    Antonyms:

  3. to perceive clearly by sight or other sense; discern; recognize:

    He could not distinguish many of the words.

  4. to set apart as different; be a distinctive characteristic of; characterize:

    It is his Italian accent that distinguishes him.

  5. to make prominent, conspicuous, or eminent:

    to distinguish oneself in battle.

  6. to divide into classes; classify:

    Let us distinguish the various types of metaphor.

  7. Archaic. to single out for or honor with special attention.


verb (used without object)

  1. to indicate or show a difference (usually followed by between ).
  2. to recognize or note differences; discriminate.

distinguish

/ ɪˈɪŋɡɪʃ /

verb

  1. whenintr, foll by between or among to make, show, or recognize a difference or differences (between or among); differentiate (between)
  2. to be a distinctive feature of; characterize
  3. to make out; perceive
  4. to mark for a special honour or title
  5. to make (oneself) noteworthy

    he distinguished himself by his cowardice

  6. to classify; categorize

    we distinguished three species

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Derived Forms

  • 徱ˈپԲܾ󲹲, adverb
  • 徱ˈپԲܾ󾱲Բ, adjective
  • 徱ˈپԲܾ󾱲Բly, adverb
  • 徱ˈپԲܾ󲹲, adjective
  • 徱ˈپԲܾ, noun
Discover More

Other Word Forms

  • 徱·پ·ܾ·· adjective
  • 徱·پ·ܾ· noun
  • 徱·پ·ܾ·Գ noun
  • ·ٱ·徱·پ·ܾ verb (used with object)
  • ·徱·پ·ܾ verb (used with object)
  • ·徱·پ·ܾ verb
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of distinguish1

First recorded in 1555–65; extension, by -ish 2, of Middle English disting(u)en (from Anglo-French, Middle French distinguer ), from Latin distinguere; distinct
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of distinguish1

C16: from Latin distinguere to separate, discriminate
Discover More

Synonym Study

Distinguish, differentiate, discriminate suggest an attempt to analyze characteristic features or qualities of things. To distinguish is to recognize the characteristic features belonging to a thing: to distinguish a light cruiser from a heavy cruiser. To discriminate is to perceive the particular, nice, or exact differences between things, to determine wherein these differences consist, and to estimate their significance: to discriminate prejudiced from unprejudiced testimony. To differentiate is to point out exactly and in detail the differences between (usually) two things: The symptoms of both diseases are so similar that it is hard to differentiate one from another.
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Cardinals wear similar clothes, but they can be distinguished by their more ornate damask pattern mitres, which look cream rather than white.

From

Many Southern California high school football programs have distinguished roll calls when it comes to alumni who have made it to the NFL, but one of those schools achieved something remarkable Thursday night.

From

The list does not distinguish between civilians and members of Palestinian armed groups who are killed in the war, and Israel has accused Hamas of inflating the percentages of women and children.

From

Complexity, whether it takes the form of the Church’s titles or its long history or its meticulous rites, is what distinguishes it as a religion in my experience.

From

Sometimes distinguishing a tell’s layers is a subtle art, but a burn layer stands out from everything around it.

From

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


徱پԲédistinguishable