1
as in excellence
exceptionally high quality
a shop selling native handicrafts of distinction
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in advantage
a quality that gives something special worth
has the distinction of being the oldest house in the city
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in accolade
public acknowledgment or admiration for an achievement
I did all of the work, and the other guy got all the distinction
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in dominance
the fact or state of being above others in rank or importance
a number of physicians of national distinction serve on the staff of the teaching hospital
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in award
something given in recognition of achievement
won a number of distinctions in her long career as an actress
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6
as in difference
the quality or state of being different
the distinction between the two photographic prints escapes me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in separation
the state of being kept distinct
the distinction between liberty and license is often violated in today's freewheeling society
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distinction
Chiles recognized that distinction and Maryland’s path forward.
—
Kris Fair, Baltimore Sun, 27 Apr. 2026
Rodríguez, who died last week at the age of 79, holds a special distinction in Royals history as the franchise’s first All-Star.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
Not to mention grabbing the distinction as the fastest player in NBA history to reach 200 career made 3-pointers.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026
Mazzulla gained that distinction following the Red Sox’s stunning decision Saturday to fire manager Alex Cora and several of his assistants.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for distinction
Kris Fair, Baltimore Sun, 27 Apr. 2026
Rodríguez, who died last week at the age of 79, holds a special distinction in Royals history as the franchise’s first All-Star.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
Not to mention grabbing the distinction as the fastest player in NBA history to reach 200 career made 3-pointers.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026
Mazzulla gained that distinction following the Red Sox’s stunning decision Saturday to fire manager Alex Cora and several of his assistants.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for distinction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinction
Noun
-
The appointment recognizes academic excellence and fosters international collaboration through short-term exchange programs, a release said.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The Nuggets are no longer measured by excellence, but effort.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Minutes earlier, Kelsy took advantage of an uncharacteristically lax exchange, blindsiding Jeppe Tverskov to take possession and create an instant breakaway opportunity.—
Ryan Finley,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Okongwu took advantage of it and drove to the basket for a quick shot.—
Lauren Williams,
AJC.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Over the years, the museum has received its share of accolades.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Rodriguez had accolades galore in college.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Washington is trying to reduce China’s dominance over critical mineral supply chains.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Denver had a hot start in the first half, with attacking duo Melissa Kössler and Natasha Flint continuing their dominance this season and scoring in the 16th and 32nd minutes, respectively.—
Melanie Anzidei,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Catholic Charities received $11 million from HHS in fiscal year 2025, according to federal spending data, but the award ended as of March 31.—
Sarah Perkel,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
However, federal law requires that judges review arbitration awards with a high degree of deference and should only vacate them if there’s an extraordinary defect, such as the award was procured by fraud or the arbitrator failed to consider relevant evidence or follow basic legal principles.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Alex Bonetig’s goal more than five minutes into extra time made the difference for Portland (4-1-5), which threatened repeatedly late to break a 1-1 stalemate that lasted nearly the entire second half.—
Ryan Finley,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Their fans will have cast a nervous glance at the goal difference column after City raced into the lead at Turf Moor through Erling Haaland after five minutes.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Grade separations greatly improve safety by reducing the chance of collisions between trains and cars, as well as cyclists and pedestrians.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Driven by blunt ideology rather than the reality of balancing harms, Font and Putnam-Hornstein advance a flawed and damaging premise that child safety requires normalizing and regularizing family separation.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Education was considered an individual pursuit marked by moral excellency and only the students who did the best in school would have proceeded to higher education.—
Sara Novak,
Discover Magazine,
12 Nov. 2024
-
Zurich said the Game Changer Award pays tribute to excellency in the film business with a focus on leaders that not only cherish change and forward-thinking approaches in the business, but also stand for the DNA of what cinema has represented since its invention.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
10 Sep. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Distinction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinction. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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