Question

Choose the correct synonym for the word: Distinguish.
A. Darken
B. Abolish
C. Differentiate
D. Confuse

Answer 1

Hint: Synonyms refer to words which have similar or somewhat similar meaning to the given word. The word “distinguish” means ‘to recognize or treat someone/something as different or to find factors that make two or more things, people, or situations different.

Complete answer:
The correct synonym for the word ‘distinguish’ would be Option C “differentiate” which means ‘to show or find the difference between two or more things which are compared’.This meaning is the closest to the meaning of distinguish.
Therefore, option C is the correct answer.
The word given in option A, darken means to make something dark or darker, or to become dark or darker. This is not a synonym of “distinguish”. Thus, option B is incorrect.
The word in option B “abolish” means ‘to put an end to something formally or to end the observance of an effect’. This is not similar to “distinguish” in meaning. Thus, option B is incorrect.
The word in option D “confuse” means ‘to cause someone to be perplexed/puzzled or to make something less easy and more complex’. This is different in meaning from the word “distinguish”. Therefore, option D is invalid too.

Note: The word different is made up of different + suffix -iate. Thus, breaking down words wherever possible helps to make the interpretation of meaning simpler. We are often asked in exams to differentiate between a and b. For e.g. Distinguish between animal cell and plant cell/Differentiate between plant cell and animal cell.