Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective distinctive contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of distinctive are characteristic, individual, and peculiar. While all these words mean "indicating a special quality or identity," distinctive indicates qualities distinguishing and uncommon and often superior or praiseworthy.

a distinctive aura of grace and elegance

When could characteristic be used to replace distinctive?

The meanings of characteristic and distinctive largely overlap; however, characteristic applies to something that distinguishes or identifies a person or thing or class.

responded with her characteristic wit

When might individual be a better fit than distinctive?

The words individual and distinctive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, individual stresses qualities that distinguish one from all other members of the same kind or class.

a highly individual writing style

When is it sensible to use peculiar instead of distinctive?

While in some cases nearly identical to distinctive, peculiar applies to qualities possessed only by a particular individual or class or kind and stresses rarity or uniqueness.

an eccentricity that is peculiar to the British

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of distinctive Most suits and separates sold at department stores today at least attempt to be fashionable or distinctive. Elise Taylor, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2025 Shapiro and her colleagues started by trying to identify the genes responsible for making mammoths distinctive. Rob Stein, NPR, 4 Mar. 2025 Sullivan Fortner has developed an expansive and distinctive approach to jazz that combines his New Orleans heritage with the hard bop sounds of New York. Jake Richardson, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025 Each of this year’s early standout series are distinctive in their form, tone, and appeal, and collectively showcase the breadth and depth of the best that television has to offer. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for distinctive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinctive
Adjective
  • Schenn’s situation, however, is a little different.
    Jeremy Rutherford, The Athletic, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Signing with the Giants to play and mentor Ward for a late-season or 2026 takeover would be much different than starting a few early games and then giving the keys to the kid to become a bystander.
    Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Taste a sampling of their distinct bottlings (the Pét-Nat is a personal favorite) or sign up for one of Johan Vineyard's calendar events, like Lambapalooza (May 10)—a kid-friendly program with farm manager, Nathan Wood that weaves together wine and the estate's resident baby sheep.
    Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The choice of invisibility serves as a method of expression that is distilled from my unique experiences and distinct perspective on the world.
    Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Mennonites are a diverse group of Christian denominations rooted in the Protestant Reformation who believe in a commitment to pacifism and nonresistance.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
  • The diverse mix of women—from pop stars to plastic surgeons—proved Puglisi’s talent for bringing out the goddess in anyone.
    Ian Malone, Vogue, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Charmingly, the leap indicator was actually displayed on the 48 month subdial, something highly characteristic of the 5516.
    Thomas Wojtowicz, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
  • These human failings are characteristic of popes up to the modern day.
    Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Higher sticker prices would hit the auto market even as the typical car now costs close to a near-record high of $50,000, and would likely add more financial strain on inflation-weary consumers.
    Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Starbucks's Revolving Door Of CEOs Has Impacted Performance Starbucks’ management team has changed leadership four times in five years, leading to difficulty for the company to keep its typical strong financial performance year-over-year.
    Shelley E. Kohan, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Distinctive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinctive. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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