Synonyms for distinction
Most common
Synonyms by meaning
Noun
1. Eminence — A feature that causes someone or something to stand out from others of its type. A feature that causes…
eminence, note, honor US, honour UK, consequence, name, mark, pre-eminence, rank, prominence, superiority, reputation, celebrity, renown, repute, dignity, fame, account, nobility, greatness, credit
2. Difference
difference, contrast, differentiation, disagreement, distinctiveness, nicety, particularity, diversity, discrimination, contrariety, dissemblance
Definitions
- n. 1
A feature that causes someone or something to stand out from others of its type. A feature that causes someone or something to stand out as being better; a mark of honour, rank, eminence or excellence; the quality of being distinguished.
She had the distinction of meeting the Queen.
- n. 2
That which distinguishes; a single occurrence of a determining factor or feature, the fact of being divided; separation, discrimination.
Related words
Forms
- Plural
- distinctions → eminences, notes, honors, consequences…
Choose the right word
A difference is in the things compared; a discrimination is in our judgment of them; a distinction is in our definition or description or mental image of them.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- consequence He changed his mind in consequence of the marriage.
- prominence Richa rose to prominence after her third album, titled "Moonlight Whispers".
- eminence He won eminence as a scientist.
- difference It won't make any difference whichever you choose.
- contrast The contrast between the two ideas is very marked.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| distinction | steady | |
| consequence | steady | |
| prominence | steady | |
| eminence | falling | |
| difference | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- name1, note1, mark1, rank1, fame1
- 5 letters
- honor2
- 6 letters
- credit2, honour2, renown2, repute2, cachet2, nicety3
- 7 letters
- account2, dignity3
- 8 letters
- contrast2, nobility4, eminence3
- 9 letters
- celebrity4, diversity4, greatness2
- 10 letters
- difference3, reputation4, separation4, prominence3
- 11 letters
- consequence3, superiority6, demarcation4, contrariety
- 12 letters
- disagreement4, dissemblance
- 13 letters
- particularity6
- 14 letters
- discrimination5
- 15 letters
- differentiation6, distinctiveness4, dislexification
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (honor2 = 2 syllables).
In other languages
- Français
- distinction
- Italiano
- distinzione
- Español
- distinción
- Deutsch
- Unterschied
- Català
- distinció