distinguish
verb
dis·tin·guish
di-ˈstiŋ-(g)wish 
distinguished; distinguishing; distinguishes
1
: to perceive a difference in : mentally separate
so alike they could not be distinguished
2
a
: to mark as separate or different
a policy that distinguishes him from other candidates
b
: to separate into kinds, classes, or categories
distinguish words by their part of speech
c
: to make noteworthy or remarkable : to give prominence or distinction (see distinction sense 4) to
distinguished themselves as pioneers of hip-hop
d
: characterize
recipes distinguished by simplicity
3
a
: discern
distinguished a light in the distance
could barely distinguish them in the fog
b
: to single out : take special notice of
: to perceive a difference
distinguish between right and wrong
Examples of distinguish in a Sentence
You're old enough to distinguish between fact and fantasy.
I have trouble distinguishing between the two of them.
I have trouble distinguishing the difference between the two of them.
You should be able to distinguish fact from fantasy.
The only thing that distinguishes the dogs is their bark.
The singer's voice is what distinguishes the band.
You can't distinguish the detail from this distance.
Recent Examples on the Web
The returning echoes are instantly analyzed by onboard AI to distinguish between debris, rocks, and soft tissue which would likely indicate a human body.
—
Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
Goleman’s work popularized the idea that a high EQ could distinguish great leaders from merely smart ones.
—Ted Ladd, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
Current X-ray machines used at most airports today have a difficult time distinguishing between different types of liquids, says Jeffrey Price, a professor of aviation at Metropolitan State University of Denver.
—Rebecca Santana, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2025
Original four- and six-cylinder cars are easily distinguished by the number of lug nuts on the wheels; four for the 914/4 and five for the 914/6.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for distinguish
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Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
Goleman’s work popularized the idea that a high EQ could distinguish great leaders from merely smart ones.
—Ted Ladd, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
Current X-ray machines used at most airports today have a difficult time distinguishing between different types of liquids, says Jeffrey Price, a professor of aviation at Metropolitan State University of Denver.
—Rebecca Santana, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2025
Original four- and six-cylinder cars are easily distinguished by the number of lug nuts on the wheels; four for the 914/4 and five for the 914/6.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for distinguish
Cite this Entry
“Distinguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distinguish. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
distinguish
verb
dis·tin·guish
dis-ˈtiŋ-(g)wish
1
: to recognize one thing from others by some mark or quality
distinguish the bird calls
3
: to know or point out the difference
distinguish between right and wrong
4
: to set apart as different or special
distinguished themselves by heroic actions
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