distinguishing

[ dih-sting-gwi-shing ]

/ dɪˈstɪŋ gwɪ ʃɪŋ /

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See synonyms for distinguishing on Thesaurus.com

adjective

distinctive; characteristic, as a definitive feature of an individual or group: Intricate rhyming is a distinguishing feature of her poetry.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of distinguishing

First recorded in 1660–70; distinguish + -ing²

OTHER WORDS FROM distinguishing

dis·tin·guish·ing·ly, adverbnon·dis·tin·guish·ing, adjectiveself-dis·tin·guish·ing, adjectiveun·dis·tin·guish·ing, adjective

un·dis·tin·guish·ing·ly, adverb

Words nearby distinguishing

Distinguished Conduct Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Order, distinguishing, distomatosis, distort, distorted, distortion, distr.

How to use distinguishing in a sentence

The collective’s members are also committed to ensuring that their work is culturally relevant — which is a distinguishing factor of many mutual aid projects.
Mutual Aid May Be Last Year’s Most Enduring Legacy|Luz Cruz|May 27, 2021|Eater
Everyone had to wait until the next spring, because an important distinguishing trait shows up in flowers.
How passion, luck and sweat saved some of North America’s rarest plants|Susan Milius|November 5, 2020|Science News
She also commented on what might be her most distinguishing feature, her pierced nose.
Meet Montana's Nose-Ringed Candidate for the U.S. Senate|Ben Jacobs|August 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Those who had seen objects multiple times better recalled the original objects but had a harder time distinguishing the lures.
Repetition Doesn’t Work: Better Ways to Train Your Memory|Gregory Ferenstein|July 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Without commanding, distinguishing words from their mouths, the narrative can be wholly invented for Kate and Letizia.
If Kate Middleton’s Butt Could Speak: It’s Time Royal Princesses Led Visible, Voluble Public Lives|Tim Teeman|June 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“I have no respect for Ambassador Chizhov,” Saakashvili said, distinguishing himself from his Ukrainian colleague.
Europe, Stunned by Reckless Russia, Mistrusts Feckless Ukrainian Leaders|James Kirchick|March 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is a distinguishing characteristic of the breed that religious fanatics have a particularly lurid sexual imagination.
Hamas: The Palestinian Fashion Police|Hussein Ibish|April 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
A good many children seem to be like savages in distinguishing those to whom one is bound to speak the truth.
Children's Ways|James Sully
Some of his violins possess a distinguishing mark in a rather abrupt rise in the centre.
Violins and Violin Makers|Joseph Pearce
Gram's method (p. 40) is a very useful aid in distinguishing certain bacteria.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
And respectable obscurity has ever been the distinguishing characteristic of Godalming.
The Portsmouth Road and Its Tributaries|Charles G. Harper
This is the case with the modern Jews and many other people who have strongly-marked, peculiar, or distinguishing characteristics.
The Condition, Elevation, Emigration, and Destiny of the Colored People of the United States|Martin R. Delany