Recognise vs. Distinguish

Recogniseverb

(transitive) To match something or someone which one currently perceives to a memory of some previous encounter with the same entity.

Distinguishverb

To recognize someone or something as different from others based on its characteristics.

Recogniseverb

(transitive) To acknowledge the existence or legality of something; treat as worthy of consideration or valid.

‘The US and a number of EU countries are expected to recognise Kosovo on Monday.’;

Distinguishverb

To see someone or something clearly or distinctly.

Recogniseverb

(transitive) To acknowledge or consider as something.

Distinguishverb

To make oneself noticeably different or better from others through accomplishments.

‘The soldier distinguished himself in combat and received a medal.’;

Recogniseverb

(transitive) To realise or discover the nature of something; apprehend quality in; realise or admit that.

Distinguishverb

To make to differ.

Recogniseverb

(transitive) To give an award.

Distinguishverb

Not set apart from others by visible marks; to make distinctive or discernible by exhibiting differences; to mark off by some characteristic.

‘Not more distinguished by her purple vest,Than by the charming features of her face.’; ‘Milton has distinguished the sweetbrier and the eglantine.’;

Recogniseverb

show approval or appreciation of;

‘My work is not recognized by anybody!’; ‘The best student was recognized by the Dean’;

Distinguishverb

To separate by definition of terms or logical division of a subject with regard to difference; as, to distinguish sounds into high and low.

‘Moses distinguished the causes of the flood into those that belong to the heavens, and those that belong to the earth.’;

Recogniseverb

grant credentials to;

‘The Regents officially recognized the new educational institution’; ‘recognize an academic degree’;

Distinguishverb

To recognize or discern by marks, signs, or characteristic quality or qualities; to know and discriminate (anything) from other things with which it might be confounded; as, to distinguish the sound of a drum.

‘We are enabled to distinguish good from evil, as well as truth from falsehood.’; ‘Nor more can you distinguish of a man,Than of his outward show.’;

Recogniseverb

detect with the senses;

‘The fleeing convicts were picked out of the darkness by the watchful prison guards’; ‘I can't make out the faces in this photograph’;

Distinguishverb

To constitute a difference; to make to differ.

‘Who distinguisheth thee?’;

Recogniseverb

express greetings upon meeting someone

Distinguishverb

To separate from others by a mark of honor; to make eminent or known; to confer distinction upon; - with by or for.

Recogniseverb

express obligation, thanks, or gratitude for;

‘We must acknowledge the kindness she showed towards us’;

Distinguishverb

To make distinctions; to perceive the difference; to exercise discrimination; - with between; as, a judge distinguishes between cases apparently similar, but differing in principle.

Recogniseverb

be fully aware or cognizant of

Distinguishverb

To become distinguished or distinctive; to make one's self or itself discernible.

‘The little embryo . . . first distinguishes into a little knot.’;

Recogniseverb

perceive to be the same

Distinguishverb

mark as different;

‘We distinguish several kinds of maple’;

Recogniseverb

accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority;

‘The Crown Prince was acknowledged as the true heir to the throne’; ‘We do not recognize your gods’;

Distinguishverb

detect with the senses;

‘The fleeing convicts were picked out of the darkness by the watchful prison guards’; ‘I can't make out the faces in this photograph’;

Distinguishverb

be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait; sometimes in a very positive sense;

‘His modesty distinguishes him form his peers’;

Distinguishverb

make conspicuous or noteworthy

Distinguishverb

identify as in botany or biology, for example

Distinguishverb

recognize or treat (someone or something) as different

‘the child is perfectly capable of distinguishing reality from fantasy’;

Distinguishverb

recognize or point out a difference

‘we must distinguish between two kinds of holiday’;

Distinguishverb

be an identifying characteristic or mark of

‘what distinguishes sport from games?’;

Distinguishverb

manage to discern (something barely perceptible)

‘it was too dark to distinguish anything more than their vague shapes’;

Distinguishverb

make oneself worthy of respect by one's behaviour or achievements

‘many distinguished themselves in the fight against Hitler’;