distinguish

[ dih-sting-gwish ]

/ dɪˈstɪŋ gwɪʃ /

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verb (used with object)

to mark off as different (often followed by from or by): He was distinguished from the other boys by his height.

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.

to perceive clearly by sight or other sense; discern; recognize: He could not distinguish many of the words.

to set apart as different; be a distinctive characteristic of; characterize: It is his Italian accent that distinguishes him.

to make prominent, conspicuous, or eminent: to distinguish oneself in battle.

to divide into classes; classify: Let us distinguish the various types of metaphor.

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

verb (used without object)

to indicate or show a difference (usually followed by between).

to recognize or note differences; discriminate.

Words nearby distinguish

distinction, distinctive, distinctive feature, distinctiveness ratio, distinctly, distinguish, distinguished, distinguished conduct medal, distinguished flying cross, distinguished service cross, distinguished service medal

Origin of distinguish

1555–65; extension, by -ish², of Middle English disting(u)en (< Anglo-French, Middle French distinguer) < Latin distinguere; see distinct

ANTONYMS FOR distinguish

2 confuse.

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OTHER WORDS FROM distinguish

dis·tin·guish·a·ble, adjectivedis·tin·guish·a·ble·ness, dis·tin·guish·a·bil·i·ty, noundis·tin·guish·a·bly, adverbdis·tin·guish·er, noun

dis·tin·guish·ment, nounin·ter·dis·tin·guish, verb (used with object)non·dis·tin·guish·a·ble, adjectivenon·dis·tin·guish·a·ble·ness, nounnon·dis·tin·guish·a·bly, adverbpre·dis·tin·guish, verb (used with object)re·dis·tin·guish, verbun·dis·tin·guish·a·ble, adjective

synonym study for distinguish

2. 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.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for distinguishes

Ultimately it is liberty, of which artistic freedom is a key component, which distinguishes the Jewish State from its enemies.
See the Met’s ‘Klinghoffer,’ Then Judge It|James Kirchick|November 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He had that indefinable sixth sense that distinguishes gifted warriors from good ones.
Mike Leach Tackles Geronimo the Motivational Murderer|James A. Warren|August 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Again, that distinguishes American political rhetoric from the rhetoric of other western nations.
Sunday Q&A: Josef Joffe on the Myth of American Decline|Michael Moynihan|November 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In fact, the way he distinguishes himself from his opponents is his fervent opposition to the Keystone pipeline.
Inside Carl Sciortino’s Viral Campaign Ad|Ben Jacobs|September 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST

But if neocons are merely one kind of hawk, then what distinguishes them from all the rest?
‘Neoconservative’ Needs to Be Retired. Why Not Try ‘Imperialist’?|Peter Beinart|June 5, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Kant first distinguishes between conviction (Ueberzeugung) and persuasion (Ueberredung).
A Commentary to Kant's 'Critique of Pure Reason'|Norman Kemp Smith
The vine, which bears greater winter cold, distinguishes the second zone.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 1|Various
That is what, most of all, distinguishes the night from the day shift, and makes it so wearisome for the pale-faced toilers.
Life in a Railway Factory|Alfred Williams
What distinguishes the Roumanian quarter is the people's carefree way of living.
Dust of New York|Konrad Bercovici
If there is one trait, far and near in the wilds, that distinguishes the woods children, it is their inability to forget.
The Sky Line of Spruce|Edison Marshall

British Dictionary definitions for distinguishes

distinguish

/ (dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ) /

verb (mainly tr)

(when intr, foll by between or among) to make, show, or recognize a difference or differences (between or among); differentiate (between)

to be a distinctive feature of; characterize

to make out; perceive

to mark for a special honour or title

to make (oneself) noteworthyhe distinguished himself by his cowardice

to classify; categorizewe distinguished three species

Derived forms of distinguish

distinguishable, adjectivedistinguishably, adverbdistinguisher, noundistinguishing, adjective

distinguishingly, adverb

Word Origin for distinguish

C16: from Latin distinguere to separate, discriminate

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

distinguish

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Words related to distinguish

Words nearby distinguish

Origin of distinguish

ANTONYMS FOR distinguish

OTHER WORDS FROM distinguish

synonym study for distinguish

Examples from the Web for distinguishes

British Dictionary definitions for distinguishes

verb (mainly tr)

Derived forms of distinguish

Word Origin for distinguish