An Identify Synonym Guide: Definition, Antonyms, and Examples

Synonyms are words that mean the same or almost the same as another word. Antonyms are words that mean the opposite of what another word means. 

Using suitable synonyms makes your writing better. Learning common opposites is an excellent way to improve your language skills and increase your vocabulary.

Here are some synonyms and antonyms that can be used in place of ‘identify’ with sentence examples to guide you. 

Happy learning!

What Does Identify Mean?

The verb ‘identify’ means to find or establish the identity of a particular person or object. Concerning one’s personality, identify can mean recognizing one’s feelings when an incident happens. 

Identifying is a gerund, or present particle of identify, while identified is its past tense and past participle.

Sentence examples of Identify

• We must identify the loopholes.
•  Kindly identify the problem on the form; we will relate with you in person.
•  We cannot identify him without his glasses.

Identify Synonym: Exploring Words with Similar Meanings

1. Separate

Separate means to tell something apart from other things by a mark or quality.

The term separate was first used in Latin as sapartus and is the perfect passive participle of saparre, which means “to separate.” It is derived from sa- (“apart”) + par- (“prepare”).

Examples of sentences with separate

• May we have separate rooms? 
• Kindly help distinguish the separate sheets. 
• He had a separate class.

2. Pinpoint

Pinpoint is a term for a clear, expert explanation of what is happening. Pinpoint refers to finding out what or where something is or how to explain a subject matter.

It also refers to a well-marked spot, especially on the ground, that helps find a tiny target. Pinpoint can also imply a meeting place or reference point.

Pinpoint was initially an aviators’ slang. It was used in aeronautics to “identify a place from the air” (to find out where an airplane is)

Examples of sentences with pinpoint

•  It’s difficult to pinpoint the cause of the mass failure. 
• To win the game, you must accurately pinpoint the dinosaur’s head.
• The police were able to pinpoint where the kidnapped girl was. 

3. Determine

To determine means to influence or determine the outcome of a situation actively. It first appeared in the late 14th century as determinen to mean “to settle, decide upon; state definitely; fix the bounds of; limit in time or extent.”

Examples of sentences of determine

• Our deeds determine us, much as we determine our deeds. 
• Goals determine what you are going to be. 
• Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the fire.

Identify Antonyms — Exploring Words with Opposite Meanings

1. Overlook

To overlook means to be oblivious or uninterested in anything because you don’t want to pay attention. It simply means to avoid doing or noticing something.

Its origin dates back to the late 14th century, overloken and meant “to examine carefully, scrutinize, inspect.” In Middle English, the word is “to peer over the top of, survey from on high, view from a high place” (c. 1400).

Examples of sentences with overlook

• How did I overlook this in the first place?
• We have decided to overlook your stupidity. 
• Luxury rooms overlook the ocean and well-trimmed gardens.

2. Mistake

Mistake means a foolish or inappropriate action or decision. A mistake can result from a significant or minor error caused by poor judgment or contempt for a rule or principle.

For a mistake to occur, it means something has been done incorrectly, or an inaccurate opinion or comment has been made. 

A mistake can also be utilized to emphasize the veracity or truthfulness of a message. For example: I obviously made no mistake in making him my second in command.

Mistake has its roots in late Middle English as a verb. Old Norse word is mistaka means to ‘take in error,’ probably influenced by Old French mesprendre.

Examples of sentences of mistake

• We won’t make the same mistake twice. 
• I guess it was a mistake to ask you to handle it. 
• He made a stupid mistake today.

3. Confuse

The term ‘confuse’ means to get someone’s thoughts or ideas all mixed up or to make something hard to understand. To be confused means to be unable to tell one thing from another. 

It originates from Old French confus, Latin confusus, and the past participle of confundere, which means “to mix together.” 

Initially, all the verb uses were passive, so it only showed up as the past participle confused. The active voice didn’t start to replace confound until the 19th century.

Examples of sentences using confuse

• We tried to confuse her 
• I often confuse you with your twin.
•  Please do not confuse us. 

To Wrap Up

Identify is a common word in English, but it’s hard to explain it in different contexts. Try to see if you can recognize them as synonyms or antonyms in other sentences. Use a thesaurus or dictionary and take advantage of opportunities to try out new words.