Synonyms for differentiate
Most common
distinguish discriminate tell apart separate speciate transform
Synonyms by meaning
Verb
1. Distinguish
distinguish, discriminate, tell apart, separate, identify, individualize UK US, individualise UK, discern, segregate, tell, contrast, particularize, particularise UK, severalize, disjoin, secern formal, secernate, characterize, characterise UK, difference dated
2. Specialize
specialize UK US, specialise UK, speciate
Other
mark, specify, differentialize rare
Definitions
- v. 1
To modify so as to create a difference or distinction.
- v. 2
To show or be the difference or distinction between things.
What differentiates an alligator from a crocodile?
- v. 3
To recognize as different or distinct.
How do you differentiate a fake smile from a genuine one?
Related words
Forms
- Past participle
- differentiated
e.g. differentiated → distinguished, discriminated, separated, identified…
Choose the right word
We contrast them when we observe their unlikeness in a general way; we differentiate them when we note the difference exactly and point by point.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- identify They were able to identify him by his wrist watch.
- distinguish We cannot distinguish her from her younger sister.
- discriminate You should not discriminate against people based on their sex.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| differentiate | rising | |
| identify | rising | |
| distinguish | steady | |
| discriminate | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- tell1, mark1
- 5 letters
- alter2
- 6 letters
- change1, secern
- 7 letters
- specify3, discern2, disjoin
- 8 letters
- separate3, identify4, contrast2, speciate
- 9 letters
- transform2, segregate3, secernate
- 10 letters
- difference3, specialize3, specialise, severalize
- 11 letters
- distinguish3
- 12 letters
- discriminate4, characterize4, characterise
- 13 letters
- individualize6, individualise, particularize, particularise
- 15 letters
- differentialize
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (alter2 = 2 syllables).
In other languages
- Français
- différencier
- Deutsch
- differenzieren
- Català
- diferenciar