tell the difference
Recognize what varies
To tell the difference is to distinguish between two or more things, recognizing what makes them distinct: I can't tell the difference between the generic and name brand.
The phrase often appears in negative constructions emphasizing similarity: They look so alike, how do you tell the difference?
Recognize as distinct
- discriminateTreat unequally based on category
- discernPerceive with careful attention
- recognizePerceive as known
- identifyEstablish who or what
detect · notice · perceive · spot · tell apart · separate · parse · decipher
Notable difference between things
- compareAssess relative likeness
- juxtaposePlace together for contrast
- evaluateDetermine value or quality
- analyzeStudy by breaking down
assess · weigh · benchmark · criteria · distinction · dissimilarity · discrepancy · variance
Perceive with attention
sight · hearing · taste · touch · smell · attention · sensitivity · acuity
Perceive as known
- understandGrasp the meaning
- comprehendTo fully understand
- graspSeize or understand
- realizeBecome aware of
know · learn · awareness · consciousness · insight · clarity · intuition · perceptiveness
Determine value or quality
- assessJudge worth or quality
- appraiseDetermine value of
- concludeEnd or infer
- reasonBasis or justification
interpret · consider · deliberate · scrutinize · objectivity · subjectivity · perspective · wisdom
distinguish
Recognize as distinct
- discriminateTreat unequally based on category
- discernPerceive with careful attention
- recognizePerceive as known
identify · detect · notice · perceive · spot · tell apart · separate · parse · decipher · resolve
contrast
Notable difference between things
- compareAssess relative likeness
- juxtaposePlace together for contrast
- evaluateDetermine value or quality
analyze · assess · weigh · benchmark · criteria · distinction · dissimilarity · discrepancy · variance · divergence
observe
Perceive with attention
detect · sight · hearing · taste · touch · smell · attention · sensitivity · acuity · sharpness
recognize
Perceive as known
- understandGrasp the meaning
- comprehendTo fully understand
- graspSeize or understand
realize · know · learn · awareness · consciousness · insight · clarity · intuition · perceptiveness · mindfulness
evaluate
Determine value or quality
reason · interpret · consider · deliberate · scrutinize · objectivity · subjectivity · perspective · wisdom · insight
tell the differenceconfuse
Cause mental disorientation
conflate · mix up · lump together · muddle · blur
tell the differencemisperceive
Understand incorrectly through senses
draw a blank · misjudge · misidentify · lose track · overlook
telling, teller, tellers, retell, retells, retelling, difference, differences, different