Botanists can distinguish between two nearly identical species of fern by examining the pattern of veins on their leaves.
植物学家可以通过观察叶片上的叶脉图案来区分两种几乎相同的蕨类植物。
As a result, these spiders can visually distinguish prey from potential mates at distances that would be impossible for most other spider species relying primarily on vibration sensing.
From a Central Ideas and Details question · Information and Ideas
A scientific commentary opens by summarizing a single surprising result from a recent study, then spends its remaining length walking through several possible explanations for that result before concluding that further research is needed to distinguish among them.
From a Text Structure and Purpose question · Craft and Structure
Which choice best defines “distinguish”?
B — To recognize or point out a difference. “distinguish” means to recognize or point out a difference.
Which word means “to recognize or point out a difference”?
C — distinguish. “distinguish” means to recognize or point out a difference.
distinguish — to recognize or point out a difference. In Chinese: 区分，辨别.
distinguish is pronounced /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ/.
Botanists can distinguish between two nearly identical species of fern by examining the pattern of veins on their leaves. (植物学家可以通过观察叶片上的叶脉图案来区分两种几乎相同的蕨类植物。)
differentiate, discern, discriminate — all close in meaning to distinguish (to recognize or point out a difference).
confuse, overlook — each the opposite of distinguish (to recognize or point out a difference).
Yes. distinguish is on the SAT Prep Easy list — mid-frequency academic words that do get tested. The Digital SAT does not test vocabulary in isolation; words like this one are tested through Words in Context questions, where you choose the word that completes a passage most logically and precisely.