distinguishing

American  

[dih-sting-gwi-shing] / dɪˈstɪŋ gwɪ ʃɪŋ /

adjective

1. distinctive; characteristic, as a definitive feature of an individual or group.

   Intricate rhyming is a distinguishing feature of her poetry.

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Other Word Forms

• distinguishingly adverb
• nondistinguishing adjective
• self-distinguishing adjective
• undistinguishing adjective
• undistinguishingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of distinguishing

First recorded in 1660–70; distinguish + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Numerous lawsuits are making their way through the courts, although the judiciary hasn’t settled on a single conclusion about where the line stands distinguishing “fair use” from copyright infringement.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

Law 19.8 now clearly defines overthrows as intentional throws at the stumps, distinguishing them from ordinary misfields, which are not counted as overthrows.

From BBC • Feb. 3, 2026

"It's hard to tell distinguishing characteristics, but genetically we can see that there are at least two populations out there," Werner said.

From Science Daily • Jan. 10, 2026

Some of the recent incidents “highlight the difficulties the Americans will now face in distinguishing meaningfully between forces of the new Syrian government and ISIS,” Heller said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 20, 2025

An intense stubbornness seemed to be his distinguishing feature.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady