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Distinguish synonyms

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separate
To become distinct or disengaged, as from a mixture
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  1. To become distinct or disengaged, as from a mixture
  2. To place in different groups; sort:
  3. To put space between; space apart or scatter:
discriminate
To perceive or notice the distinguishing features of; recognize as distinct:
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  1. To perceive or notice the distinguishing features of; recognize as distinct:
  2. To make distinctions on the basis of class or category without regard to individual merit, especially to show prejudice on the basis of ethnicity, gender, or a similar social factor:
  3. To see the difference (between things); distinguish
differentiate
To become different or differentiated; develop new characteristics
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  1. To become different or differentiated; develop new characteristics
  2. To constitute the distinction between:
  3. To become distinct or specialized; acquire a different character.
classify
To arrange or organize according to class or category.
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  1. To arrange or organize according to class or category.
  2. To arrange or group in classes according to some system or principle
  3. To identify by or divide into classes; to categorize.
specify
To state explicitly or in detail:
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  1. To state explicitly or in detail:
  2. To include as an item in a set of specifications
  3. To determine or bring about (a specific result):
identify
(--- Biology) To determine the taxonomic classification of (an organism).
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  1. (--- Biology) To determine the taxonomic classification of (an organism).
  2. To ascertain as having a certain characteristic or feature:
  3. To establish or recognize the identity of; ascertain as a certain person or thing:
individualize
To make individual; mark as different from other persons or things
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  1. To make individual; mark as different from other persons or things
  2. To modify to suit the wishes or needs of a particular individual:
  3. To suit to the use, taste, requirements, etc. of a particular individual
characterize
To describe the qualities or peculiarities of:
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  1. To describe the qualities or peculiarities of:
  2. To be the distinctive character of; distinguish
  3. To describe or portray the particular qualities, features, or traits of
tell-apart
(Idiomatic) To perceive things as different, or to perceive their difference itself; to differentiate, distinguish, discriminate.
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  1. (Idiomatic) To perceive things as different, or to perceive their difference itself; to differentiate, distinguish, discriminate.
demarcate
To mark the difference between two causes of action; to distinguish
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  1. To mark the difference between two causes of action; to distinguish
  2. To mark the difference between; distinguish; separate
  3. To separate clearly as if by boundaries; distinguish:
divide
To sector into units of measurement; graduate:
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  1. To sector into units of measurement; graduate:
  2. To separate and group according to kind; classify.
  3. To separate into groups; classify
collate
To assemble in proper numerical or logical sequence.
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  1. To assemble in proper numerical or logical sequence.
  2. To examine (such material) to see that all pages, plates, etc. are in proper order, as for binding
  3. To gather (the sections of a book, pages of a document, etc.) together in proper order
set apart
To select (something or someone) for a specific purpose.
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  1. To select (something or someone) for a specific purpose.
  2. To distinguish, make obvious the distinction between (two things) or of (something).
  3. Used other than as an idiom: to separate or isolate.
mark-off
To indicate as dealt with, as on a list.
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  1. To indicate as dealt with, as on a list.
  2. To separate by or as with a boundary line.
select
To make a selection; choose
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  1. To make a selection; choose
  2. To take as a choice from among several; pick out.
  3. To choose or pick out from among others, as for excellence, desirability, etc.
single-out
To select one from a group and treat differently
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  1. To select one from a group and treat differently
sift
To separate; screen; distinguish
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  1. To separate; screen; distinguish
  2. To separate or scatter (things) as if by sieving.
  3. To pass through a sieve so as to separate the coarse from the fine particles, or to break up lumps, as of flour
draw-the-line
(Idiomatic) To set a boundary, rule, or limit, especially on what one will tolerate.
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  1. (Idiomatic) To set a boundary, rule, or limit, especially on what one will tolerate.
separate-the-wheat-from-the-chaff
(Idiomatic) to select only that which is of value
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  1. (Idiomatic) to select only that which is of value
separate-the-sheep-from-the-goats
To divide the members of a group into those that are superior and those that are inferior.
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  1. To divide the members of a group into those that are superior and those that are inferior.
detect
To discern (something hidden or subtle):
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  1. To discern (something hidden or subtle):
  2. To discover or ascertain the existence, presence, or fact of.
  3. To catch or discover, as in a misdeed
discriminate
To recognize the difference between; distinguish
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  1. To recognize the difference between; distinguish
  2. To make distinctions on the basis of class or category without regard to individual merit, especially to show prejudice on the basis of ethnicity, gender, or a similar social factor:
  3. To see the difference (between things); distinguish
notice
To regard; observe; pay attention to
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  1. To regard; observe; pay attention to
  2. To mention; refer to; comment on
  3. To take notice of; observe:
identify
To ascertain as having a certain characteristic or feature:
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  1. To ascertain as having a certain characteristic or feature:
  2. (--- Biology) To determine the taxonomic classification of (an organism).
  3. To establish or recognize the identity of; ascertain as a certain person or thing:
label
To differentiate (an element, atom, etc.) by introducing a radioactive isotope or an isotope of unusual mass that may be readily traced through a complex process
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  1. To differentiate (an element, atom, etc.) by introducing a radioactive isotope or an isotope of unusual mass that may be readily traced through a complex process
  2. To attach a label to:
  3. To attach a label to; mark with a label
tag
A sequence of characters in a markup language used to provide information, such as formatting specifications, about a document. Tags are enclosed in a pair of angle brackets that indicate to the browser how the text is to be displayed.
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  1. A sequence of characters in a markup language used to provide information, such as formatting specifications, about a document. Tags are enclosed in a pair of angle brackets that indicate to the browser how the text is to be displayed.
  2. To provide with a tag; fasten a tag to; label
  3. To label or identify with a tag.
signalize
(Nonstandard) To install a traffic signal at an intersection that is currently regulated by stop signs.
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  1. (Nonstandard) To install a traffic signal at an intersection that is currently regulated by stop signs.
  2. To make remarkable or conspicuous:
  3. To make remarkable or noteworthy
celebrate
To mark (a happy occasion) by engaging in some pleasurable activity
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  1. To mark (a happy occasion) by engaging in some pleasurable activity
  2. To perform (a religious ceremony):
  3. To commemorate (an anniversary, holiday, etc.) with ceremony or festivity
ennoble
To make noble:
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  1. To make noble:
  2. To ennoble textile fabrics, the industrial processes of dry-cleaning, printing and embossing, and sizing and finishing, which together are known as 'ennobling fabrics'.
  3. To give a noble quality to; dignify
differentiate
To perceive or show the difference in or between; discriminate.
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  1. To perceive or show the difference in or between; discriminate.
  2. To make different by alteration or modification.
  3. (Math.) To work out the differential or derivative of (a function)
discern
To perceive or recognize; make out clearly
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  1. To perceive or recognize; make out clearly
  2. To perceive with the eyes; detect or distinguish:
  3. To separate (a thing) mentally from another or others; recognize as separate or different
discriminate
To recognize the difference between; distinguish
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  1. To recognize the difference between; distinguish
  2. To make distinctions on the basis of class or category without regard to individual merit, especially to show prejudice on the basis of ethnicity, gender, or a similar social factor:
  3. To see the difference (between things); distinguish
know
To be able to distinguish; recognize as distinct:
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  1. To be able to distinguish; recognize as distinct:
  2. To have a practical understanding of, as through experience; be skilled in:
  3. To regard as true beyond doubt:
separate
To see the differences between; distinguish or discriminate between
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  1. To see the differences between; distinguish or discriminate between
  2. To come apart; become detached:
  3. To terminate a contractual relationship with (someone); discharge.
tell
To express in words; utter; say
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  1. To express in words; utter; say
  2. To reveal something that is not supposed to be revealed, especially something that someone has done wrong:
  3. To let know; inform; acquaint
descry
To discover (a distant or obscure object) by the eye; to espy; to discern or detect.
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  1. To discover (a distant or obscure object) by the eye; to espy; to discern or detect.
  2. To catch sight of; discern (distant or obscure objects)
  3. To discover by careful observation or scrutiny; detect:
discern
To perceive or recognize the difference
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  1. To perceive or recognize the difference
  2. To perceive with the eyes; detect or distinguish:
  3. To separate (a thing) mentally from another or others; recognize as separate or different
pick out
To remove by picking
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  1. To remove by picking
  2. (Idiomatic) to detect using one's senses (sight, smell, hearing, touch, taste)
  3. To select
spot
(Sports) To act as a spotter for (a gymnast, for example).
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  1. (Sports) To act as a spotter for (a gymnast, for example).
  2. (Informal) To lend:
  3. To become marked with spots:
descry
To discover (a distant or obscure object) by the eye; to espy; to discern or detect.
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  1. To discover (a distant or obscure object) by the eye; to espy; to discern or detect.
  2. To discover by careful observation or scrutiny; detect:
  3. To see.
detect
To catch or discover, as in a misdeed
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  1. To catch or discover, as in a misdeed
  2. To discover or ascertain the existence, presence, or fact of.
  3. To discern (something hidden or subtle):
discern
To perceive or recognize the difference
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  1. To perceive or recognize the difference
  2. To perceive with the eyes; detect or distinguish:
  3. To separate (a thing) mentally from another or others; recognize as separate or different
mark
To evaluate (academic work) according to a scale of letters or numbers; grade.
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  1. To evaluate (academic work) according to a scale of letters or numbers; grade.
  2. To observe; note; take notice of; heed
  3. To give attention to; notice:
mind
To take notice; give heed:
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  1. To take notice; give heed:
  2. (Regional) To bring (an object or idea) to mind; remember.
  3. To pay attention to:
note
To mention particularly
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  1. To mention particularly
  2. (Obsolete) Contraction of ne mote (“may not").
  3. To show; indicate:
notice
To mention; refer to; comment on
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  1. To mention; refer to; comment on
  2. To perceive with the mind; detect:
  3. To take notice of; observe:
observe
To watch or be present without participating actively:
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  1. To watch or be present without participating actively:
  2. To say or mention casually; remark
  3. To be or become aware of, especially through careful and directed attention; notice:
remark
To express in words or writing, as observed or noticed; to state; to say; -- often with a substantive clause
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  1. To express in words or writing, as observed or noticed; to state; to say; -- often with a substantive clause
  2. To mark again (a piece of work).
  3. To say or write as an observation or comment
see
To consider:
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  1. To consider:
  2. To have the power to perceive with the eyes:
  3. To perceive with the eye:
characterize
To describe the qualities or peculiarities of:
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  1. To describe the qualities or peculiarities of:
  2. To be the distinctive character of; distinguish
  3. To describe or portray the particular qualities, features, or traits of
differentiate
(Math.) To work out the differential or derivative of (a function)
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  1. (Math.) To work out the differential or derivative of (a function)
  2. To perceive or show the difference in or between; discriminate.
  3. To constitute the distinction between:
discriminate
To recognize the difference between; distinguish
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  1. To recognize the difference between; distinguish
  2. To make distinctions on the basis of class or category without regard to individual merit, especially to show prejudice on the basis of ethnicity, gender, or a similar social factor:
  3. To see the difference (between things); distinguish
individualize
To make individual; mark as different from other persons or things
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  1. To make individual; mark as different from other persons or things
  2. To modify to suit the wishes or needs of a particular individual:
  3. To suit to the use, taste, requirements, etc. of a particular individual
mark
To single out or indicate by or as if by a mark:
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  1. To single out or indicate by or as if by a mark:
  2. To show or indicate by a mark or marks
  3. To give attention to; notice:
set apart
To select (something or someone) for a specific purpose.
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  1. To select (something or someone) for a specific purpose.
  2. Used other than as an idiom: to separate or isolate.
  3. To distinguish, make obvious the distinction between (two things) or of (something).
signalize
To communicate with by means of a signal.
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  1. To communicate with by means of a signal.
  2. (Nonstandard) To install a traffic signal at an intersection that is currently regulated by stop signs.
  3. (Nonstandard) To signal; to indicate the existence, presence, or fact of, by a signal.
singularize
To make conspicuous; distinguish.
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  1. To make conspicuous; distinguish.
elevate
To raise to a higher moral, cultural, or intellectual level:
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  1. To raise to a higher moral, cultural, or intellectual level:
  2. To raise (a person) in rank or position; promote
  3. To move (something) to a higher place or position from a lower one; lift.
ennoble
To ennoble textile fabrics, the industrial processes of dry-cleaning, printing and embossing, and sizing and finishing, which together are known as 'ennobling fabrics'.
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  1. To ennoble textile fabrics, the industrial processes of dry-cleaning, printing and embossing, and sizing and finishing, which together are known as 'ennobling fabrics'.
  2. To bestow with nobility, honour or grace.
  3. To give a noble quality to; dignify
exalt
To fill with joy, pride, etc.; elate
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  1. To fill with joy, pride, etc.; elate
  2. To raise in status, dignity, power, honor, wealth, etc.
  3. To glorify, praise, or honor.
honor
To bow to (another dancer) in square dancing:
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  1. To bow to (another dancer) in square dancing:
  2. To hold in respect; esteem:
  3. To do or give something in honor of
signalize
To communicate with by means of a signal.
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  1. To communicate with by means of a signal.
  2. (Nonstandard) To signal; to indicate the existence, presence, or fact of, by a signal.
  3. (Nonstandard) To install a traffic signal at an intersection that is currently regulated by stop signs.

Synonym Study

  • Differentiate suggests the noting or ascertaining of specific differences between things by comparing in detail their distinguishing qualities or features
  • Discriminate suggests a distinguishing of minute or subtle differences between similar things to discriminate scents
  • Distinguish implies a recognizing or marking apart from others by special features or characteristic qualities to distinguish good from evil
Find another word for distinguish. In this page you can discover 88 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for distinguish, like: separate, discriminate, discriminate between, differentiate, classify, specify, identify, individualize, characterize, tell-apart and demarcate.

Sentence Examples

  • She couldn't distinguish whether it was male or female.

  • Natasha looked in the mirrors and could not distinguish her reflection from the others.

  • We may distinguish four periods, as follows: 1.

  • Probably there was little externally to distinguish the prophet of Yahweh in the days of Samuel from the CanaanitePhoenician prophets of Baal and Asherah (1 Kings xviii.

  • The superior officers all wanted to distinguish themselves, to cut off, to seize, to capture, and to overthrow the French, and all clamored for action.

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Words that mention distinguish in the Dictionary

Words near distinguish in the Thesaurus