distinguishes

verb

present tense third-person singular of distinguish
1
as in differentiates
to understand or point out the difference in even at such a young age, he could distinguish the calls of various birds

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2
as in characterizes
to be an important feature of a collection of recipes distinguished by their ease and simplicity

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3
as in identifies
to find out or establish the identity of learned at an early age to distinguish the sound of a piano in an orchestra

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4
as in notices
to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes could barely distinguish the garden gate through the mist

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5
as in classifies
to arrange or assign according to type on the exam we were asked to distinguish the specimens by acidity

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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 distinguishes Players with no aura are lackluster or just generally can’t seem to find that mojo that distinguishes an average or even good player from a fan-favorite great. — Stephanie Kasulka, Parents, 1 Sep. 2026 What distinguishes them is their ability to translate between the two. — Milan Shetti, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026 What also distinguishes the second shock from the first is the new trade relationship China has with other countries. — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026 The angled sides create a visually interesting silhouette, while the glass front distinguishes it from a mere box of wood. — Evan Russum, Architectural Digest, 22 Aug. 2026 This distinguishes it from a typical refinance, where the new loan is for an equal amount, leaving no leftover funds. — Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 21 Aug. 2026 This final stage most clearly distinguishes reputational due diligence from mechanical screening. — Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2026 However, what truly distinguishes the series from its predecessor is its awareness of societal issues beyond sexism and misogyny. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026 Obreht distinguishes herself as a spellbinding writer who recognizes the ways that mythologies bend the truth to dazzle us with stories that capture a larger history. — Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinguishes
  1. differentiates
  2. characterizes
  3. identifies
  4. notices
  5. classifies
  6. sees
  7. ranks
  8. spots
Verb
  • This practice introduces new points of view into the digital ecosystem, differentiates the brand, and increases the likelihood of an AI citation.
    — Gary Drenik, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • But what differentiates them from some of their peers is the unyielding pace of their live shows, all of it delivered with the grinning joy of playing rock ‘n’ roll.
    — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of differentiates
Verb
  • The research characterizes the industry as roughly two years behind travelers in adoption.
    — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Pragmatism characterizes Taiwan’s approach to mainland China.
    — Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of characterizes
Verb
  • The cops don’t entirely buy that their serial killer is a high-school student, even as Bret identifies Robert by name.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
  • In Colorado, nearly a quarter of the overall population identifies as Hispanic or Latino.
    — Hillary Lum, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of identifies
Verb
  • Then, as Pike prepares to hand over the bridge to Lieutenant Rahda (Abinaya Sivakumaran), his replacement notices a slight shift in the ship’s trajectory.
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
  • When the job takes her to an eastern Colorado cattle ranch, Jane notices that the family’s young daughter has precocious breast development as a result of the hormones the operation uses.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of notices
Verb
  • In 2021, researchers analyzing EPA compliance data found that 17 of Puerto Rico’s 78 municipalities had systems the agency classifies as serious violators.
    — Ivis García, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Additionally, the state of Illinois recently passed a bill, SB3484, that classifies and regulates micromobility devices such as e-scooters.
    — Narmeen Khan, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of classifies
Verb
  • No country has marshaled those efforts like China, where the government sees Tibet, and its Himalayan borderlands, as critical to its national and energy security.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Wall Street sees new treatments as an untapped goldmine, full of consumers who are willing to pay out-of-pocket for better options, reminiscent of the boom in GLP-1 weight-loss drugs.
    — Avalon Pernell, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of sees
Verb
  • Alphabet, which ranks third in cloud, started providing total revenue from Google Cloud Platform and Workspace productivity subscriptions in 2020.
    — Jordan Novet, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Emerging markets such as India, which entered the top 20 markets two years ago and now ranks 15th for Swiss watch exports by size, and Mexico are also contributing to a lessening of the dependency on wavering top markets, in particular China.
    — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of ranks
Verb
  • Burns didn't become a five-time PGA Tour winner, contend for major championships and earn five consecutive Team USA spots without pouring himself into the game.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
  • When the camera spots something that matches, or resembles, the image of the target, the drone flies into it and explodes.
    — Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of spots

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Cite this Entry

“Distinguishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinguishes. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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