distinguish
verb (used with object)
to mark off as different (often followed by from orby ).
were distinguishing
-
past progressiveof distinguish.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Meanwhile, Japanese American soldiers, some of whose families were interned, were distinguishing themselves in the war’s European theater — even though for a period after Pearl Harbor the Army took away their rifles.
From Washington Post ● Sep. 8, 2021
But even then, Duran Duran were distinguishing themselves from their peers.
From Salon ● Jan. 30, 2021
At every level, dancers were distinguishing themselves, not just as individuals but as colleagues.
From New York Times ● Jul. 3, 2015
Thus far the uniforms were all alike; but there were distinguishing insignia to indicate the rank of each.
From Outward Bound Or, Young America Afloat by Oliver Optic
The remaining brothers were distinguishing themselves in the army, one of them having been presented with a medal at Lorraine.
From The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse by Charlotte Brewster Jordan
