DISTINGUISH
WORD OF THE WEEK
DISTINGUISH ( DISTINGUIR )
verb \di-ˈstiŋ-(g)wish\
: to notice or recognize a difference between people or things
: to make (someone or something) different or special in some way
: to see or hear (someone or something) clearly
FULL DEFINITION OF DISTINGUISH
transitive verb
1: to perceive a difference in : mentally separate <so alike they could not be distinguished>
2a : to mark as separate or different <a policy that distinguishes him from other candidates>
3a : discern <distinguished a light in the distance>
intransitive verb
: to perceive a difference <distinguish between right and wrong>
EXAMPLES OF DISTINGUISH
- 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.
RELATED to DISTINGUISH
Synonyms difference, differentiate, discern, discriminate, secern, separate
Antonyms confuse, mistake, mix (up)
Antonyms confuse, mistake, mix (up)
Related Words contradistinguish; comprehend, grasp, know, understand; divide, part, sever; demarcate, mark (off), set off
Near Antonyms confound, lump (together), mingle