Verb > Distinguish
1 : to notice or recognize a difference between people or things
(no object)
You’re old enough to distinguish between fact and fantasy.
I have trouble distinguishing between the two of them.
(+ object)
Their voices are hard to distinguish. (=tell apart)
I have trouble distinguishing the difference between the two of them.
You should be able to distinguish fact from fantasy.
2 not used in progressive tenses, (+ object) : to make (someone or something) different or special in some way
The only thing that distinguishes the dogs is their bark.
The recipe is distinguished by its simplicity. (=the unusual or interesting thing about the recipe is its simplicity)
The singer’s voice is what distinguishes the band.
¡X often + from
Our excellent customer service distinguishes us from our competitors.
The law affects private property as distinguished from public property. (=the law affects private property and not public property)
3 not used in progressive tenses, (+ object) : to see or hear (someone or something) clearly
You can’t distinguish the detail from this distance.