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Synonyms

undistinguished

American  
[uhn-di-sting-gwisht] / ˌʌn dɪˈstɪŋ gwɪʃt /

adjective

  1. having no distinguishing marks or features.

    Synonyms:
    unremarkable, unexceptional, common, ordinary
  2. without any claim to distinction.

    an undistinguished performance.

  3. unnoticed; inconspicuous.

    He was an undistinguished part of the crowd.

  4. not separated or divided, as by sets or categories.


undistinguished British  
/ ˌʌndɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃt /

adjective

  1. not particularly good or bad

    an undistinguished career

  2. without distinction

    undistinguished features

"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

Etymology

Origin of undistinguished

First recorded in 1585–95; un- 1 + distinguished

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Mahan graduated the Naval Academy in 1859 and, after an undistinguished career at sea, led the Naval War College in Newport, R.I.

From Barron's Jun. 5, 2026

But Newhart had what he called “an undistinguished movie career.”

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 18, 2024

He has won nine of 10 fights with six knockouts against mostly undistinguished opponents, including several mixed martial artists and a fellow YouTuber.

From Seattle Times Apr. 30, 2024

Fog clouded the San Jacinto Mountains recently as Brad Fuhr approached the headquarters of KGAY, a radio station in an undistinguished Palm Springs, California, strip mall.

From New York Times Feb. 7, 2024

I felt a little thrill of adventure as we chugged into the bay, as if I were sighting land where maps had noted only a sweep of undistinguished blue.

From "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs

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