indistinguishable
indistinguishable — adjective
1. so similar to something else that the two things cannot be told apart
so similar to something else that the two things cannot be told apart
The cheap copies were indistinguishable from the designer bags sold in stores.
indistinguishable from [noun] — comparison pattern
Kabir's twin daughters are so alike that even their teacher finds them indistinguishable.
so [adjective] that + be indistinguishable — result clause
To a beginner, the two shades of green paint are nearly indistinguishable.
Hoa bought a copy that was almost indistinguishable from the original painting.
Without his glasses, Daichi found the two shapes completely indistinguishable.
- identical
stronger — means exactly the same in every detail, whereas 'indistinguishable' means a difference cannot be perceived
- alike
less formal; can be used after a noun ('the sisters look alike') without a preposition
- interchangeable
focuses on functional replaceability rather than visual similarity
- distinguishable
the direct opposite — able to be seen as different
- distinct
clearly different or separate
文法句型
be indistinguishable from [something]
be + indistinguishable [between A and B]
用法筆記
Often paired with the preposition 'from' to mark the thing being compared. The subject is usually a pair or group of similar items.
常見錯誤
2. impossible to see, hear, or recognize clearly because of physical conditions suc
impossible to see, hear, or recognize clearly because of physical conditions such as distance, poor light, or background noise
The writing on the old sign was so faded that it was almost indistinguishable.
so [adjective] that + be indistinguishable — visual decay
In the thick fog, the shape of the lighthouse was completely indistinguishable.
be indistinguishable + in [physical condition] — environmental interference
Omar's voice was nearly indistinguishable over the noise of the train.
The small details in the old photograph became indistinguishable over time.
By evening, the narrow path through the woods was almost indistinguishable.
- indistinct
very close in meaning, but 'indistinct' can describe the quality itself, while 'indistinguishable' often implies a failed attempt to perceive
- unclear
broader in meaning — can apply to ideas or reasons, not just physical perception
- blurry
less formal; specifically about visual unclearness
- faint
applies to sounds, colors, or marks that are weak rather than mixed up
文法句型
be + indistinguishable
become + indistinguishable
用法筆記
Describes sensory perception (usually sight or hearing) that fails due to external conditions. This sense differs from sense 1, which compares two separate things; here a single object is unclear on its own.