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distinguish

dis·tin·guish

distinguish

 
 
pronunciation:
dih stIng gwihsh
parts of speech:
transitive verb, intransitive verb
features:
Word Combinations (verb)
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: distinguishes, distinguishing, distinguished
definition 1: to correctly discern the identity of (each of two or more things) by recognizing how they are different (often fol. by "from").
Can you distinguish Japanese writing from Chinese writing?She is good at distinguishing different smells.
synonyms:
designate, differentiate, discern, tell
antonyms:
confound
similar words:
characterize, contrast, discriminate, mark, pick out, signal, single out
definition 2: to see clearly or hear plainly.
It was too dark to distinguish his face.
synonyms:
descry, discern
similar words:
detect, determine, espy, identify, note, perceive, see
definition 3: to act in a way that causes (oneself) to be recognized or to be set apart from others.
She distinguished herself in yesterday's race.
similar words:
characterize, differentiate, dignify, honor
definition 4: to be the factor or factors that make (something) different from another or others.
A birthmark on the cheek distinguishes one twin from the other.
 
part of speech: intransitive verb
definition: to discriminate by noting or claiming differences (usu. fol. by "between").
The teacher can usually distinguish between a student's original work and work that has been strongly influenced by a parent.This historian distinguishes between "just" wars and "unjust" wars.
synonyms:
differentiate, discern, discriminate
similar words:
decide
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
derivations: distinguishable (adj.), distinguishably (adv.), distinguishingly (adv.)