OTHERNESS Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

otherness

noun

ˈə-t͟hər-nəs

Definition of otherness

as in distinctiveness

the quality or state of being different from an early age he could sense that there was an otherness about him—he was somehow different from the other kids

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 otherness But Jack’s otherness also worked against him. — Joyce Johnson, New Yorker, 23 May 2026 Starring Renate Reinsve and an unrecognizable Sebastian Stan as the couple at the center of the storm, the film is a nuanced reflection on otherness and how anyone failing to conform to the values of a community invites distrust. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026 Maintaining the otherness of different people is a mark of dignity and respect for them and for oneself. — Tim Brinkhof, JSTOR Daily, 22 Apr. 2026 Instead, otroverts—who often appear extroverted, Kaminski says—are defined by a feeling of otherness. — Jamie Friedlander Serrano, Time, 13 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for otherness

Recent Examples of Synonyms for otherness

Noun

Yet, Farrow, Martin and Vega nail the distinctiveness of being a millennial.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
The first Captain America movie used this quality of his well, but his character’s distinctiveness gradually faded in subsequent Marvel entries.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of distinctiveness

Noun

How can the sense of an absolute union of all matter be reconciled with the endless multiplicity and distinctness of it?

— Christian Wiman, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
However, a few hours with Air Riders reveals the nuance and depth of its gameplay, the distinctness of this flavor of racing game and its sensory, chaotic, and strategic appeal.

— Ryan Gaur, Rolling Stone, 19 Nov. 2025

Definition of distinctness

Noun

Gallup found no difference in scam victimization rates by age, and experienced professionals have been duped as well.

— Muskaan Arshad, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
The old boy was perfectly reasonable, explaining the difference between federal reimbursement and state reimbursement, and the speed that agencies move on the different levels.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of difference

Noun

One strange index of these powers can be registered by counting the mineral diversity on planet Earth.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
The report also found that children benefit from attending school with peers who come from diverse racial and socioeconomic backgrounds, and observed the most positive effects of diversity in children from low-income and minoritized families.

— Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of diversity

Noun

That distinction shows both the opportunity for American technology and the limits imposed by remaining dependencies.

— Margot Edelman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
The city institution, which artistic director Robert Drake describes as Georgia's longest-running theater, also holds the distinction of being the first professional theater to integrate both its casts and audience in the southeastern United States.

— La'Tasha Givens, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026