differentiated; differentiating
2
: to mark or show a difference in : constitute a contrasting element that distinguishes features that differentiate the twins how we differentiate ourselves from our competitors3
: to develop differential or distinguishing characteristics in What differentiated a laborer from another man …—Sherwood Anderson4
biology : to cause differentiation (see differentiation sense 3b) of in the course of development cells that are differentiated from stem cells5
: to express the specific distinguishing quality of : discriminate differentiate poetry and prose1
: to recognize or give expression to a difference difficult to differentiate between the two2
: to become distinct or different in character
Examples of differentiate in a SentenceThe only thing that differentiates the twins is the color of their eyes. it was hard at first to differentiate between the two styles of music
Recent Examples on the Web Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback. In a saturated mid-market bracket, Hampton’s leadership has managed to differentiate the brand through an obsessive drive to understand customers. —Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025 When compared to bikes with comparable performance, the E-VO differentiates itself with its cost. —Utkarsh Sood june 29, New Atlas, 29 June 2025 Researchers believe the fish may have actually been recorded decades ago in other regions based on underwater photographs, but because they can only be differentiated from another species. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 26 June 2025 With iOS 26 beta 2, the iPhone maker has refined the Control Center’s design, adding a more opaque background so that users can clearly differentiate between Control Center options and the apps on the home page. —Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for differentiate Word HistoryEtymology
probably borrowed from Medieval Latin differentiātus, past participle of differentiāre "to distinguish" (New Latin in mathematical sense), verbal derivative of Latin differentia difference entry 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of differentiate was in 1814 Articles Related to differentiate Cite this Entry“Differentiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/differentiate. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
Kids Definitiondifferentiated; differentiating
1
: to make or become different in some way the color of their eyes differentiates the twins2
: to undergo or cause to undergo differentiation in the course of development
3
: to see or state the difference or differences differentiate between two plants Medical Definitiondifferentiated; differentiating
1
: to constitute a difference that distinguishes the history of the injury also differentiates these two fractures—J. S. Keene et al.3
: to discriminate or give expression to a specific difference that distinguishes quickly learned to differentiate sharp pain from dull pain4
: to cause differentiation in (a specimen for microscopic examination) by staining
1
: to recognize or express a difference differentiate between humans and the rest of the primates2
: to undergo differentiation when a B cell matures, it differentiates into a plasma cell that secretes antibodies—R. C. Gallo Last Updated: 3 Jul 2025 - Updated example sentencesLove words? Need even more definitions?
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