1Recognize or treat (someone or something) as different.

这个孩子完全可以将现实和幻想区分开来。

1. 1.1no object Perceive or point out a difference.
   感觉到差别；指出差别
   bees are unable to distinguish between red, black, and various grays

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Copyright law does not distinguish between sampling and counterfeiting.
   • When at rest, our bodies can't distinguish between the sweet stuff in Coke and the sweet stuff in orange juice.
   • I know actors and actresses have a little trouble distinguishing between fact and fantasy.
   • Unfortunately, we currently know of no way to distinguish between these possibilities.
   • Classification systems vary in terminology, but most distinguish on the basis of the severity of the learning disability.
   • Type 3 is distinguished by the presence of coarse serrations; no other type exhibits serrations.
   • Why would you distinguish on those facts between the priest and the archbishop?
   • Likewise, the ability to distinguish between certain sounds such as sss, sshh or zz diminishes from the time we reach our thirties.
   • Now, Kafka importantly distinguishes between two types of acquittal available to the accused.
   • The BMI does not distinguish between fat and muscle, so buff men are likely to be considered overweight.
   • You are not the only one who has difficulty distinguishing between the two positions.
   • Thirty-three species have been distinguished in 99 limestone thin sections.
   • They are unable to distinguish between culture and religions.
   • As investors, we need to be able to distinguish between interesting scientific discoveries and commercially viable projects.
   • Our goal was to distinguish between two hypotheses, the balance hypothesis and the insufficient amounts hypothesis.
   • However, it is not possible to distinguish between these possibilities from the present data.
   • These differences are sufficient to distinguish between the two species.
   • This difference is very significant because it helps you distinguish between vertical and horizontal pipes.
   • The species are distinguished using internal and external features.
   • The sources do not distinguish between administrative and political corruption or between petty and grand corruption.
2. 1.2 Manage to discern (something barely perceptible)
   辨别出（细微之处）
   it was too dark to distinguish anything more than their vague shapes

   太暗了，只能辨别出他们模糊的身影。

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Moments before the light and dark disappeared, Sam distinguished a few of the beautiful words.
   • The smell of ozone was thick in the air and smoke and dust was everywhere making it impossible to distinguish anything.
   • The Kushnans were barely able to distinguish the Baron from the room.
   • Matthew looked around the room, trying to distinguish just what was going on.
   • My whole mind whirled around me, thinking so many thoughts that I couldn't distinguish anything intelligible.
   • Winds were cascading around them, yet it was too black to distinguish anything.
   • To his credit, Hornby manages to distinguish the four voices well.
   • Up ahead, beyond the settlement, Ryan could distinguish the dark, unruly mass that was the sea.
   • In close-ups you could barely distinguish which body parts were on view.
   • Where before she could barely distinguish where the sea ended and where the sky began, she could now clearly see which was which.
   • He was the first to identify the brain as the seat of understanding and to distinguish understanding from perception.
   • Each fish has a unique pattern of white spots, making it possible to distinguish one from another.
   • She couldn't distinguish anything in the darkness that prevailed down here.
   • I squinted into the darkness, barely distinguishing anything.
   • The bus was silent except for a faint beat that Lena could barely distinguish from the creaks and groans of the bus.
   • Oran can now barely distinguish, with one eye, between light and dark.
   • The loud phone rings were barely able to be distinguished.

   Synonyms

   discern, see, perceive, make out
3. 1.3 Be an identifying or characteristic mark or property of.
   使区别于他物
   what distinguishes sports from games?

   运动和游戏区别在哪里？

   Example sentencesExamples

   • One of the morphological characters to distinguish Capsicum species is seed color.
   • These two features distinguish De Villepin's sell-offs from their predecessors.
   • Another characteristic feature that distinguishes eukaryotic from prokaryotic genes is the presence of introns.
   • This feature is unique and distinguishes Palaega rugosa from all other species that have been referred to the genus.
   • For such lesions, the tissue morphologic features have been distinguished according to the patterns found in the coexisting components.
   • Two inter-related characteristics distinguished the Histadrut and the Labour Zionists from their inception.
   • Lacotte's jury found Pingping Ji remarkable for her style and her air of nobility, elements that distinguished this year's classical competition.
   • Food used to be one of the most distinguishing characteristics of a civilization.
   • The use of arms and appropriate assets is the main distinguishing feature of war here.
   • Several features distinguish the Posimetric design from other feeding technology.
   • This feature distinguishes the Act from statutory proposals to place age limits or fixed terms of service on Supreme Court Justices.
   • They see their commitment to universality as an important feature distinguishing Canada from the United States.
   • The licensing and distribution models are the key characteristics that distinguish OSS from commercial software.
   • Some of the characteristics that distinguish the two are intrinsic.
   • A suite of characteristics distinguishes Orconectes neglectus from other northeastern crayfishes.
   • An appealing feature that distinguished one of my choices - Centre College - was its widely known dedication to liberal learning.
   • Kathleen's friendly nature was one of her most distinguishing characteristics.
   • Certain characteristics distinguish one type of print from another.

   Synonyms

   separate, set apart, make distinctive, make different

   distinctive, differentiating, discriminating, determining
4. 1.4distinguish oneself Make oneself prominent and worthy of respect through one's behavior or achievements.
   使杰出，使受尊重
   many distinguished themselves in the fight

   许多人在反对希特勒的战争中享有盛名。

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Those who excel in this struggle distinguish themselves through nothing more exotic than boundless cunning and ruthlessness.
   • They will want to distinguish themselves from the crowd, which is a worthy ambition.
   • Three cases distinguish themselves above the others, while several more were worthy of consideration, as well.
   • Focusing on our strengths is surely our only chance to distinguish ourselves and excel.
   • The young GM plant has already distinguished itself by a remarkable achievement in quality.
   • The real winner is Lost in Translation, mostly for distinguishing itself in this list as being self-consciously cinematic.
   • The suit dragged on for years during which the tribes and government did not distinguish themselves by their behavior.
   • This Canadian distillery was distinguishing itself with one brand in particular - ‘Canadian Club‘.
   • Some Korean restaurants are distinguishing themselves by their decor.
   • Stop being part of the herd and start distinguishing yourself.

   Synonyms

   attain distinction, be successful, bring fame to oneself, bring honour to oneself, become famous, dignify oneself, glorify oneself, excel oneself, win acclaim for oneself, ennoble oneself, become lionized, become immortalized, elevate oneself