Another Word for Identify: 17 Synonyms with Examples
To identify is to recognise or name someone or something, or to find and point out a problem or need. Alternatives separate spotting, naming and diagnosing.
As a verb: recognise or name
- recognise
- name
- pick out
- distinguish
- single out
- pinpoint
As a verb: find or establish
As a verb: feel close to
- relate to
- empathise with
- sympathise with
- connect with
Need a different word?Look up any word in the synonym finder →
How they differ
Synonyms share a meaning, not always a tone. Here is when to pick each of the main options.
- recognise
- Knows someone or something because you have seen it before.
- pinpoint
- Identifies very precisely, such as a cause or location.
- detect
- Notices something hard to see, often with tests or tools.
- diagnose
- Identifies an illness or the cause of a problem.
- spot
- Informal; notices quickly.
- relate to
- Feels that you understand or share someone's situation.
Example sentences
- recognise: I recognised her voice before I saw her.
- pinpoint: The engineers pinpointed the leak to a single joint.
- detect: The sensor detects smoke within seconds.
- diagnose: The mechanic diagnosed a worn clutch.
- spot: Can you spot the mistake in this sentence?
- relate to: Many readers relate to the narrator's money worries.
Opposite of identify
- overlook
- miss
- confuse
More from WordNet
Less common or more specialised words WordNet lists for other senses of “identify”. Check the meaning before you use one.
verb: place
WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Used under the WordNet licence.
Frequently asked questions
What is another word for “identify”?
The most useful alternatives are “recognise”, “name”, “pick out”, “distinguish”, “single out”. For the main sense (recognise or name), “recognise” is usually the closest swap.
What is the difference between “recognise” and “pinpoint”?
recognise: Knows someone or something because you have seen it before. pinpoint: Identifies very precisely, such as a cause or location.
What is the opposite of “identify”?
Common antonyms are “overlook”, “miss”, “confuse”.