distinguish
v.v. to see or understand the difference between two or more things. You use this when you are trying to tell things apart or recognize what makes something unique.
v. to perceive or point out a difference; to recognize as distinct or different. Often used to describe the cognitive process of categorization or the physical act of discerning sensory details.
It is hard to distinguish the twins because they look exactly alike.
A trained chef can easily distinguish between fresh herbs and dried ones just by their scent.
The legal system must carefully distinguish between accidental harm and intentional malice to ensure that the punishment fits the specific nature of the crime committed.
From Middle English distingwen, from Old French distinguer, from Latin distinguere (“to separate, divide, distinguish, set off, adorn, literally mark off”), from di-, dis- (“apart”) + stinguere, related to English stink. Compare extinguish.
Often used with the preposition 'between' or 'from'. The verb is transitive when identifying a specific feature that makes something different.
distinguish with the two optionsdistinguish between the two optionsDistinguish typically takes 'between' to compare two things, or 'from' to separate one from another; 'with' is not used in this context.