distance 1 of 2

noun

ˈdi-stən(t)s How to pronounce distance (audio)
Definition of distancenext
1
as in length
the space or amount of space between two points, lines, surfaces, or objects the distance between the earth and the sun is about 93 million miles

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in expanse
a wide space or area a region marked by great, featureless distances

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in difference
the quality or state of being different the brothers' personalities are like the distance between night and day

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

distance

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to retreat

Related Words

Dissimilar Words
2
as in to throw away

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of distance
Noun
Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP The distance in the march from the American Revolution to the age of artificial intelligence is almost beyond comprehension. — Steven Sloan, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Oct. 2026 The distance in the march from the American Revolution to the age of artificial intelligence is almost beyond comprehension. — ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Verb
Facing headwinds The party in power typically faces an uphill battle in midterm elections, and vulnerable candidates often distance themselves from the sitting president. — Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026 Piker isn’t making El-Sayed’s unconvincing efforts to distance himself from his highly controversial pal any easier. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for distance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distance
  1. length
  2. expanse
  3. difference
  4. retreat
  5. throw away
  6. width
  7. expansion
  8. distinctness
Noun
  • Advertisement There are, in fact, chapters that have gone to great lengths to limit binge drinking.
    — Richard Hall, Time, 7 Oct. 2026
  • As well as hearing the audio of the Princess, the three-part doc series explains how and when they were recorded, and the extraordinary lengths Diana went to in order to ensure her story could be heard.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of length
Noun
  • Imagery, in its poetic sense, is unbridled by the laws of the real, unconcerned with replication, devoted instead to the rolling expanse of attempt.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026
  • National monuments are designed to protect specific locations and objects, such as archaeological or historical sites, whereas national parks have a broader purpose including recreation and the preservation of vast expanses of wilderness.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of expanse
Noun
  • Functional connectivity in the fetal brain develops substantially later in gestation, with measurable differences in brain activity and facial responses to noxious versus innocuous stimulation appearing at approximately 33 weeks.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Three-dimensional light fields could provide a new way to probe these subtle differences because the fields themselves can have chiral, or handed, properties.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of difference
Verb
  • Without Carmella there as a potential wild card, the ladies arrive in Tokyo and are forced to retreat to their familiar shticks.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Kramatorsk has long served as a strategic rear point for the Ukrainian units serving along the eastern front – and as a place to which exhausted troops could retreat for a few days of rest before their next mission.
    — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of retreat
Verb
  • Visitors looking to load up their carry-on with designer duds will find an abundance of department stores and luxury boutiques like Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, and Dover Street Market just a stone’s throw away.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 30 Sep. 2026
  • For Brashares, letting go of her kids’ and husband’s old clothes always felt a little like throwing away more than tattered items.
    — Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of throw away
Noun
  • For the most organic blend of ancient and modern Bangkok, explore the nearby waterfront district Talat Noi (Small Market), where alleys lead to passageways that are often only shoulder width.
    — Tony Perrottet, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Here, a modest slide-out wall module expands the width of the motorhome interior to carve out extra space for a cozy home theater-style setup with two side-facing power recliners split far enough apart to fit a drinks/snacks table between them.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of width
Noun
  • Over the next twenty years, the games and their expansion packs focused on historical events, alternate history and future conflicts.
    — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The expansion gives Ultium Cells the ability to manufacture multiple cell chemistries and geometric form factors on the same campus.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of expansion
Noun
  • How can the sense of an absolute union of all matter be reconciled with the endless multiplicity and distinctness of it?
    — Christian Wiman, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
  • However, a few hours with Air Riders reveals the nuance and depth of its gameplay, the distinctness of this flavor of racing game and its sensory, chaotic, and strategic appeal.
    — Ryan Gaur, Rolling Stone, 19 Nov. 2025
Definition of distinctness

Phrases Containing distance

Browse Nearby Words

distains
distance
distanced
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Distance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distance. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All