DISTINCTION: Synonyms and Related Words. What is Another Word for DISTINCTION?

Need another word that means the same as “distinction”? Find 19 synonyms and 30 related words for “distinction” in this overview.

The synonyms of “Distinction” are: differentiation, eminence, note, preeminence, difference, contrast, dissimilarity, dissimilitude, divergence, variance, variation, importance, significance, consequence, account, honour, credit, excellence, merit

Distinction as a Noun

Definitions of "Distinction" as a noun

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “distinction” as a noun can have the following definitions:

• A discrimination between things as different and distinct on the basis of their characteristics or attributes.
• The separation of people or things into different groups according to their characteristics.
• A grade in an examination denoting excellence.
• An honor awarded to someone in recognition of achievement or superiority.
• A distinguishing difference.
• Excellence that sets someone or something apart from others.
• A distinguishing difference between similar things or people.
• A difference or contrast between similar things or people.
• High status importance owing to marked superiority.
• A discrimination between things as different and distinct.
• A decoration or honour awarded to someone.
• A distinguishing quality.

Synonyms of "Distinction" as a noun (19 Words)

account	The department of a company that deals with financial accounts. There s no money to pay the tradesmen s accounts this month.
consequence	The outcome of an event especially as relative to an individual. A woman of consequence.
contrast	Differences in colour, tone, or shape that contribute to the visual effect of a design or image. By contrast.
credit	The quality of being believed or credited. A student can earn one unit of academic credit.
difference	The quality of being unlike or dissimilar. His support made a real difference.
differentiation	The structural adaptation of some body part for a particular function. Cell differentiation in the developing embryo.
dissimilarity	The quality of being dissimilar. The similarity or dissimilarity between humans and other animals.
dissimilitude	Dissimilarity or diversity.
divergence	A variation that deviates from the standard or norm. A growing divergence of opinion.
eminence	Fame or acknowledged superiority within a particular sphere. Her eminence in cinematography.
excellence	An outstanding feature or quality. Awards for excellence.
honour	The quality of knowing and doing what is morally right. An honours degree in mathematics.
importance	The quality of being important and worthy of note. A person of importance.
merit	The intrinsic rights and wrongs of a case, outside of any other considerations. Work of great merit.
note	A banknote. His notes were appended at the end of the article.
preeminence	High status importance owing to marked superiority.
significance	The quality of being worthy of attention; importance. The significance of what was happening was clearer to me than to her.
variance	The fact or quality of being different, divergent, or inconsistent. They were at variance with all their previous allies.
variation	(ballet) a solo dance or dance figure. He makes the preparation for his variation with utmost care and accuracy.

Usage Examples of "Distinction" as a noun

• High interest rates strike down, without distinction, small businesses and the unemployed.
• A novelist of distinction.
• She graduated with the highest distinction.
• He gained the highest distinction awarded for excellence in photography.
• It is necessary to make a distinction between love and infatuation.
• She gained a distinction in her diploma.
• He learned the distinction between gold and lead.
• There is a sharp distinction between domestic politics and international politics.
• I was completely unaware of class distinctions.

Associations of "Distinction" (30 Words)

another	Any of various alternatives; some other. Put it off to another or some other day.
cohere	Come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation. He made the series of fictions cohere into a convincing sequence.
compare	Estimate, measure, or note the similarity or dissimilarity between. John compared his haircut to his friend s.
comparison	A consideration or estimate of the similarities or dissimilarities between two things or people. Perhaps the best comparison is that of seasickness.
contrarily	Contrary to expectations.
contrast	The difference between tones in a television picture, photograph, etc. In contrast to.
contrastingly	In a contrasting manner.
convert	A person who has been converted to another religious or political belief. Faulkner gave away a penalty corner which was converted by Saeed Anjum.
diametrical	Of or along a diameter. Diametrical or opposite points of view.
differ	Be of different opinions. He differed from his contemporaries in ethical matters.
difference	The quality of being unlike or dissimilar. The difference in her is amazing.
different	Unlike in nature or quality or form or degree. Came to a different conclusion.
differential	A set of gears allowing a motor vehicle’s driven wheels to revolve at different speeds when going around corners. The differential achievements of boys and girls.
differentiation	The action or process of differentiating or distinguishing between two or more things or people. Cell differentiation in the developing embryo.
differently	In a novel and unusual way. A large group of differently aged chicks.
disagree	Disapprove of. Historians often disagree.
discrepancy	An illogical or surprising lack of compatibility or similarity between two or more facts. There s a discrepancy between your account and his.
discrete	Individually separate and distinct. A government with three discrete divisions.
dissimilar	Marked by dissimilarity. Their understanding of the world is not so dissimilar from our own.
dissimilarity	The quality of being dissimilar. The similarity or dissimilarity between humans and other animals.
distinguish	Detect with the senses. It was too dark to distinguish anything more than their vague shapes.
divergence	A difference in opinions, interests, etc. The divergence between primates and other groups.
gap	Make an opening or gap in. The explosion made a gap in the wall.
incompatible	(of one thing or person) not consistent or able to coexist with (another. Long hours are simply incompatible with family life.
inconsistent	Not in agreement. Inconsistent statements cannot both be true at the same time.
individuation	The quality of being individual.
otherwise	In circumstances different from those present or considered; or else. I would that it were otherwise.
preeminence	High status importance owing to marked superiority.
relatively	In a relative manner; by comparison to something else. They were very poor but relatively speaking they had been lucky.
unlike	Not like; different from. They distributed unlike or unequal sums to the various charities.