DISTANCES Synonyms: 129 Similar and Opposite Words

distances 1 of 2

noun

plural of distance

as in lengths

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

as in expanses

a wide space or area a region marked by great, featureless distances

Synonyms & Similar Words

distances

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of distance

as in retreats

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

as in ditches

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 distances

Noun

Rainfall amounts will vary considerably because thunderstorms can produce very different totals over short distances. — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026 The mission also carries instruments from Egypt, Switzerland, Bahrain and Italy; the latter country’s instrument is a small laser retroreflector on the lander that can be used to precisely measure distances from orbiters to the lunar surface. — Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 20 Aug. 2026 Other customizable features include RGB lighting and adjustable actuation distances. — Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Under severe drought conditions, expanded Eastern production could reduce annual supply-chain costs by about $10 million while cutting transportation distances to Eastern markets by approximately 20%, the researchers' model found. — Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Optical interconnects transport more data across greater distances than traditional solutions such as copper cables, while also using less energy. — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026 Both marks constitute world records for disciplines that became official distances only in January, governing body World Athletics said. — ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026 An impact therefore hurls high-speed ejecta (fine regolith and rock fragments) across vast distances at bullet-like speeds. — Leonard David, Space.com, 14 Aug. 2026 The team took the information resulting from this analysis and combined it with quantitative modelling of transport distances and volumes. — Cleo Levin, Footwear News, 13 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for distances

Noun

Farmers go to many lengths to keep their animals comfortable during a heat wave, using fans, water spraying and environmental monitoring driving up their costs.

— Sylvie Bigar, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Just be sure to apply it to the mid-lengths and ends, as it’s not designed for use at the roots.

— Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of lengths

Noun

Then in the late winter, Mathon proposed rezoning all of its 188-acre Waterford Parkway South property, including the former airport’s runways and tie-down areas as well as large expanses of woodlands.

— Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2026
And there are limited expanses of undeveloped coastal locations along the Gulf of Mexico and southern Atlantic Ocean in the United States.

— Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of expanses

Verb

As his mind retreats to the hues of old movies, Charlotte breaks the fog with a glimmer of humanity.

— Andy Andersen, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026
The gunman briefly retreats, then returns to the window and fires inside the restaurant again, injuring a good Samaritan who was trying to help the trooper and render aid to Garibay.

— Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of retreats

Verb

Our shortcut version also ditches the eggs for mayonnaise and adds in capers for extra briny punch.

— Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 July 2026
Splatoon Raiders ditches the series' trademark, competitive multiplayer shooting, to focus entirely on single-player and co-operative raids.

— Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 23 July 2026

Definition of ditches

Noun

Several spacings and gaps were potential vermin entrances including spacing and gaps between floor boards, a vertical air gap along double front doors and on the ceiling above the ice cream chest freezer in the retail aisle.

— Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado Updated January 23, Sacbee.com, 23 Jan. 2026
More distant spacings will leave gaps in the bed.

— Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2025

Definition of spacings

Noun

But under Gloria, spending went up almost 40% during that period, with much of the cost coming from expansions in city employment and personnel costs.

— Carl Luna, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
External control arms, comparative effectiveness studies against real-world standard of care, post-market expansions of indication and broader safety analyses all become more tractable.

— David Talby, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of expansions

Verb

The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife said dogfish and other small sharks commonly forage close to shore during the summer and can become trapped near sandbars as the tide recedes, according to ABC6.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2026
But when this latest surge plateaus or recedes, the game could well be up.

— Michael B. G. Froman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of recedes

Verb

And a $208 million Rural Health Transformation award now lets Arkansas confront the maternity care deserts the national conversation overlooks—because when the nearest delivery unit is an hour away, distance itself is a risk factor.

— John Boozman, Time, 23 June 2026
Set against the backdrop of Burns’ native city of Liverpool, the drama revolves around a 17-year-old soldier who deserts his post during the Iraq war.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 19 May 2026

Definition of deserts

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Style

“Distances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distances. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of distances

noun

verb

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