distinguishing

Verb

distinguish (third-person singular simple present distinguishes, present participle distinguishing, simple past and past participle distinguished)

1. To recognize someone or something as different from others based on its characteristics.
   • It had begun to take a leading place even in the days of the Ptolemies, and in scientific, as distinguished from purely literary work, it had assumed a position of primary importance early in the Christian era.1922, De Lacy O'Leary, Arabic Thought and Its Place in History

   Synonyms:

   differentiate, discriminate, decern, discern, differentialize, set apart, tell, tell apart

   Antonyms:

   confuse

2. To see someone or something clearly or distinctly.

   Synonyms:

   discern, make out

3. (reflexive, transitive) To make noticeably different or better from others through accomplishments.
   • The soldier distinguished himself in combat and received a medal.
4. To confer an honor upon.
   • The soldier was distinguished with a medal for his bravery.
5. (obsolete, transitive) To make to differ.
   • For who diſtinguiſheth thee?1749, The New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. […] Newly reviſed, and corrected according to the Clementin Edition of the Scriptures (Douay–Rheims Bible, Challoner Revision), 1...