distinguish
/dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ
/verb [with object]
1Recognize or treat (someone or something) as different: the child is perfectly capable of distinguishing reality from fantasy...
- What I have difficulty with is distinguishing different noises in loud areas.
- Pinker suggests that our love of music may have developed out of a similar evolutionary need to distinguish different sounds.
- The software is also speed-sensitive, so it can distinguish the different conditions in city driving and faster roads or motorways.
Synonyms
differentiate, tell apart, discriminate, discern, determine, pick out;
tell the difference between, decide between, make/draw a distinction between
1.1 [no object] Recognize or point out a difference: we must distinguish between two kinds of holiday...
- These differences are sufficient to distinguish between the two species.
- As investors, we need to be able to distinguish between interesting scientific discoveries and commercially viable projects.
- This difference is very significant because it helps you distinguish between vertical and horizontal pipes.
1.2Be an identifying characteristic or mark of: what distinguishes sport from games?...
- Several features distinguish the Posimetric design from other feeding technology.
- Some of the characteristics that distinguish the two are intrinsic.
- A suite of characteristics distinguishes Orconectes neglectus from other northeastern crayfishes.
Synonyms
separate, set apart, make distinctive, make different;
single out, mark off, demarcate, delimit, delineate;
characterize, individualize, individuate, identify, designate, categorize, classify
distinctive, differentiating, discriminating, determining;
individualistic, particular, peculiar, singular, idiosyncratic, unique, noteworthy, different, uncommon, extraordinary, original;
characteristic, typical
2Manage to discern (something barely perceptible): it was too dark to distinguish anything more than their vague shapes...
- I squinted into the darkness, barely distinguishing anything.
- To his credit, Hornby manages to distinguish the four voices well.
- The loud phone rings were barely able to be distinguished.
Synonyms
discern, see, perceive, make out;
observe, notice, spot, glimpse, catch sight of;
detect, recognize, identify, pick out
formal apprehend
literary descry, espy
3 (distinguish oneself) Make oneself worthy of respect by one’s behaviour or achievements: many distinguished themselves in the fight against Hitler...
- The young GM plant has already distinguished itself by a remarkable achievement in quality.
- The suit dragged on for years during which the tribes and government did not distinguish themselves by their behavior.
- Those who excel in this struggle distinguish themselves through nothing more exotic than boundless cunning and ruthlessness.
Synonyms
attain distinction, be successful, bring fame/honour to oneself, become famous, dignify oneself, glorify oneself, excel oneself, win acclaim for oneself, ennoble oneself, become lionized, become immortalized, elevate oneself
Origin
Late 16th century: formed irregularly from French distinguer or Latin distinguere, from dis- 'apart' + stinguere 'put out' (from a base meaning 'prick').