DISTINCTIONS Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

distinctions

noun

plural of distinction

as in advantages

a quality that gives something special worth has the distinction of being the oldest house in the city

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in accolades

public acknowledgment or admiration for an achievement I did all of the work, and the other guy got all the distinction

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as in awards

something given in recognition of achievement won a number of distinctions in her long career as an actress

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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 distinctions Corruption talk blurs the distinctions between these three distinct things. — Robert Boatright, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026 Grip is phenomenal, as are the electric motors These differences are subtle but important distinctions that bolster the 849 as a more refined follow-up to the SF90. — Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2026 The dispute is how to represent those distinctions without crediting routine carbon circulation as additional sequestration. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026 This expansion of Hoodoo’s geography and urban shift also brought about a level of homogenization and the decline of regional distinctions. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026 Such a designation constitutes one of our era’s most respectable distinctions. — Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026 The states must resist, regardless of the political affiliation and ideology of their leaders; the pathogens that can and will kill their children do not, after all, observe these political distinctions. — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2026 Similarly, some people experience anger, sadness, and fear as different versions of bad, while others experience each one distinctly—and can make even finer distinctions among, say, anger, irritation, and frustration. — Angela Haupt, Time, 11 Aug. 2026 The concept was introduced in the 19th century by Karl Marx, who wanted to abolish private property and dissolve class distinctions in order to more fairly distribute resources. — Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinctions

Noun

Drone teams have several advantages over the artillery systems and armored vehicles traditionally used to deliver fires.

— Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
If the upcoming tests continue to validate the design, the 24-round reusable pod could become one of JR3’s biggest advantages.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of advantages

Noun

All these accolades and swift-but-eventful years later, the persona of the guy who became a wonder of the world remains intact and part of his unique appeal.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
Parton provided a great example of true allyship—not the surface-level kind that many engage in for proverbial cookies, public praise and accolades.

— Janice Gassam Asare, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of accolades

Noun

We were inculcated with the importance of charity, love toward all, good works and humility, and urged to carry those virtues into adulthood.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
This distinction matters because several of these characteristics can actually be virtues.

— Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of virtues

Noun

The privileged hillside location is well removed from the crowds, yet Florence and all its Renaissance glories is a mere 20-minute ride on the complimentary shuttle bus.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
Both of them have erotic fixations with that original Miasma, which requires stepping back into the movie — and the glories of the disreputable genre itself.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of glories

Noun

Call it Comer 2035, a vision separate from the system’s broader Elevate 2035 plan that would articulate Comer’s pediatric-specific values and commitments.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Two common ones include beliefs about whether someone will listen and share information and whether someone shares your values.

— John C. Besley, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of values

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distinction

distinctions

distinctive

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Style

“Distinctions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinctions. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of distinctions

noun

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