distinction
noun
dis·tinc·tion di-ˈstiŋ(k)-shən 
1
: the act of perceiving someone or something as being not the same and often treating as separate or different : the distinguishing of a difference
without distinction as to race, sex, or religion
also : the difference distinguished
the distinction between imply and infer
2
: something that distinguishes
regional distinctions
3
: the quality or state of being distinguishable
no distinction of facial features in the twins
4
a
: the quality or state of being excellent or superior : the quality or state of being distinguished or worthy
a politician of some distinction
b
: special honor or recognition
took a law degree with distinction
won many distinctions
c
: an accomplishment that sets one apart
holds the distinction of being the only American to win the prize
5
a
: class sense 4
Mr. Hemingway's … prose is of the first distinction.
Edmund Wilson
Edmund Wilson b
archaic : division
Synonyms
- choiceness
- excellence
- excellency
- first-rateness
- greatness
- perfection
- preeminence
- primeness
- superbness
- superiority
- supremacy
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
There are no obvious distinctions between the two designs. She made a distinction between the words “less” and “fewer.” He was raised in a small town of no great distinction. Her talents gave distinction to the work.
Recent Examples on the Web It’s one of those changes that feels like a distinction without a difference: Demoted in name only. Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2022 But there is a distinction, Willis said, and that is that Phillips died as a result of domestic violence. Rosana Hughes, ajc, 29 Aug. 2022 During that span, Hamilton County earned what some consider to be a dubious distinction. cincinnati.com, 22 Aug. 2022 Unlike with organic wines, classifying a wine as biodynamic is not a distinction that changes across continents. Kate Kassin, Bon Appétit, 21 Aug. 2022 On Tuesday, Cox achieved a more dubious distinction. Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2022 Clallam County, Washington, may not be a location that's been in the spotlight, but the area, located in the northwestern section of the state, carries a one-of-a-kind distinction in the political world. Nathan Luna, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2022 But Justice Samuel Alito’s majority opinion recognized a crucial distinction that militates strongly in favor of the latter. Michael Toth, WSJ, 27 July 2022 But the uptick puts him at a slightly higher August approval rating than presidents going into each of the last four midterm elections (an ominous distinction, as none of those midterms went well for those presidents' parties). Ben Kamisar, NBC News, 26 Aug. 2022 See More
Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2022 But there is a distinction, Willis said, and that is that Phillips died as a result of domestic violence. Rosana Hughes, ajc, 29 Aug. 2022 During that span, Hamilton County earned what some consider to be a dubious distinction. cincinnati.com, 22 Aug. 2022 Unlike with organic wines, classifying a wine as biodynamic is not a distinction that changes across continents. Kate Kassin, Bon Appétit, 21 Aug. 2022 On Tuesday, Cox achieved a more dubious distinction. Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2022 Clallam County, Washington, may not be a location that's been in the spotlight, but the area, located in the northwestern section of the state, carries a one-of-a-kind distinction in the political world. Nathan Luna, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2022 But Justice Samuel Alito’s majority opinion recognized a crucial distinction that militates strongly in favor of the latter. Michael Toth, WSJ, 27 July 2022 But the uptick puts him at a slightly higher August approval rating than presidents going into each of the last four midterm elections (an ominous distinction, as none of those midterms went well for those presidents' parties). Ben Kamisar, NBC News, 26 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
see distinct
First Known Use
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5b
Phrases Containing distinction
Kids Definition
distinction
noun
dis·tinc·tion di-ˈstiŋk-shən
1
: difference sense 1
the distinction between right and wrong
2
: the act of seeing or pointing out a difference
He made a distinction between the two words.
3
: great worth : excellence
a writer of distinction
4
: something that makes a person or thing special or different
Our house has the distinction of being the oldest one in town.
distinction
noun
1
as in excellence
exceptionally high quality a shop selling native handicrafts of distinction Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- excellence
- excellency
- importance
- superiority
- choiceness
- greatness
- preeminence
- perfection
- supremacy
- primeness
- impeccability
- superbness
- value
- notability
- first-rateness
- faultlessness
- flawlessness
- perfectness
- goodness
- worth
- consequence
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- inferiority
- badness
- ordinariness
- mediocrity
- worthlessness
- averageness
- crumminess
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
- advantage
- merit
- value
- virtue
- excellence
- excellency
- grace
- superiority
- cardinal virtue
- plus
- edge
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- deficiency
- defect
- demerit
- failing
- flaw
- drawback
- fault
- blemish
- disvalue
- negative
- minus
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
- accolade
- glory
- applause
- honor
- acclaim
- credit
- praise
- commendation
- homage
- kudos
- fame
- laud
- ovation
- laurels
- repute
- renown
- props
- tribute
- bay(s)
- sun
- compliment
- celebrity
- réclame
- plaudit
- encomium
- citation
- recommendation
- panegyric
- eulogy
- toast
- acclamation
- rave
- kudo
- elevation
- exaltation
- enshrinement
- rhapsody
- glorification
- note
- enthronement
4
as in superiority
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
- superiority
- dominance
- reputation
- repute
- primacy
- supremacy
- transcendence
- renown
- noteworthiness
- eminence
- preeminence
- preponderance
- influence
- prepotency
- domination
- paramountcy
- preponderancy
- honor
- prestigiousness
- notoriety
- prestige
- fame
- celebrity
- kudos
- glory
- greatness
- power
- nobleness
- famousness
- ascendancy
- notableness
- illustriousness
- dominion
- authority
- ascendance
- stardom
- ascendency
- superstardom
- infamy
- weight
- ascendence
- megastardom
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- inferiority
- insignificance
- obscurity
- mediocrity
- obscureness
5
as in award
something given in recognition of achievement won a number of distinctions in her long career as an actress Synonyms & Similar Words
- award
- prize
- accolade
- honor
- trophy
- decoration
- premium
- medal
- plume
- blue ribbon
- badge
- kudo
- applause
- commendation
- ribbon
- plaque
- tribute
- plate
- cup
- crown
- citation
- compliment
- plaudit
- homage
- laurel
- honorable mention
- eulogy
- order
- encomium
- panegyric
- bravo
- paean
- hallelujah
6
as in difference
the quality or state of being different the distinction between the two photographic prints escapes me Synonyms & Similar Words
- difference
- distinctiveness
- distinctness
- contrast
- diversity
- dissimilarity
- disparity
- discrepancy
- disagreement
- unlikeness
- dissimilitude
- diverseness
- divergence
- otherness
- distance
- disparateness
- distinguishability
- variation
- dichotomy
- variability
- modification
- incongruity
- deviance
- differentiability
- imbalance
- change
- variance
- disproportion
- friction
- incongruence
- discord
- discriminability
- dissent
- inequality
- discordance
- incompatibility
- conflict
- dissension
- disunity
- incongruousness
- nonconformity
- strife
- nonequivalence
- dissention
- dissidence
- anomalousness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- similarity
- resemblance
- analogy
- community
- likeness
- identity
- sameness
- agreement
- accordance
- equivalence
- correspondence
- congruity
- equality
- conformity
- parallelism
- similitude
- alikeness
- analogousness
- uniformity
- identicalness
- equivalency
- homogeneity
- homogeneousness
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
- separation
- differentiation
- demarcation
- discrimination
- discreteness
- segregation
- isolation
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- confusion
- blurring