DISTINCTIONS Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

distinctions

noun

plural of distinction

as in advantages

a quality that gives something special worth has the distinction of being the oldest house in the city

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in accolades

public acknowledgment or admiration for an achievement I did all of the work, and the other guy got all the distinction

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as in awards

something given in recognition of achievement won a number of distinctions in her long career as an actress

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of distinctions As the volume of information grows, the ability to make those distinctions becomes the skill. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026 The moral distinctions among mainstream business, the yakuza gangs, and the police were often blurry. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 The latest Michelin Guide awarded stars or distinctions to 11 restaurants that have temporarily or permanently closed because of the war. — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2026 The tracks differ in ways meaningful to the distinctions in responsibilities. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026 After all, casinos don’t bother to make distinctions, labeling all winning systems as criminal. — Kit Chellel, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026 Perhaps now is the time to start the long overdue work of drawing these lines and distinctions clearly again. — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026 How a blood pressure wearable actually works Not every device on your wrist does the same thing, and for anyone weighing a switch from an arm cuff, the distinctions are critical. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Sep. 2026 For the first time this season, Kyle Larson heads to Kansas Speedway with two specific distinctions. — Reid Spencer, Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinctions

Noun

That gives the Bengals advantages in quarterback play, preparation and availability.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
The leaders who do this build better teams, and the companies where all leaders do this create organizations where people genuinely want to be — and that turns out to be one of the most durable competitive advantages available to any business today.

— Deborah Lovich, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of advantages

Noun

Over the course of her long career, Curtis, 67, has developed a lengthy résumé in film and television, winning numerous accolades along the way, including an Oscar and an Emmy (she’s been nominated for a Grammy too — there’s still time for an EGOT).

— Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Women who've accepted their past mistakes aren't used to accepting accolades.

— Noel Brennan, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of accolades

Noun

But for audiences outside North America, catching Nathan Fielder’s three-hour documentary about disgraced Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes — now expected to be a major player in awards season — has become a frustrating waiting game.

— Alex Ritman, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026
Every awards season brings a late-breaking Timothée Chalamet vehicle.

— Radhika Seth, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of awards

Noun

For Monday meditation, the teaching group has assigned the 10 paramis (spiritual virtues) of Buddhism, which explore topics like generosity, wisdom and patience.

— Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
What unites these seemingly disparate topics is Wilson’s knack for putting himself into scenarios with unusual people that lead him into unexpected territory—a lesson in the virtues of simple observation.

— Alex Jhamb Burns, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of virtues

Noun

Eva Marie Saint, a revered actress whose two preeminent performances — On the Waterfront and North by Northwest — encapsulated the glories of the 1950s’ Hollywood studio system, died on Tuesday.

— Tim Grierson, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026
The glories of some former age may be lamented, and our sympathies directed to parties judged righteous or wronged.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of glories

Noun

Alicia and Darrell Cortez recently arrived at Shirakawa Elementary School in San Jose bearing books and the promise of prizes.

— Sharon Chin, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Here’s how to play and win prizes at small Sacramento businesses while getting an early start on holiday shopping.

— Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of prizes

Noun

LendingTree’s model values the federal child tax credit at $2,200 per child, up from $2,000.

— Martie Bowser, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Education and giving back are important values to the family as the project represents for them a broader impact within the natural diamond industry.

— Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of values

Noun

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution earned six honors in the 2026 Signal Awards, highlighting the strength of the newsroom’s journalism, storytelling and audio production across politics, culture and investigative reporting.

— AJC Communications, AJC.com, 21 Oct. 2026
The couple next returned to Princeton, and other honors soon followed for the poet.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of honors

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distinction

distinctions

distinctive

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Style

“Distinctions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinctions. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of distinctions

noun

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