Differentiate
Part of speech: verb
Definition: To show, or be the distinction between two things. To perceive the difference between things; to discriminate. To modify, or be modified. To calculate the derivative of a function. To calculate the differential of a function of multiple variables. To produce distinct organs or to achieve specific functions by a process of development called differentiation.
Example sentence: When it comes to films, people often don't differentiate between the message of a bad central character and the message of the film itself. They are two separate things.
Distinguish
Part of speech: verb
Definition: To see someone or something as different from others.To see someone or something clearly or distinctly.To make one's self noticeably different or better from others through accomplishments.
Example sentence: When we see animals doing remarkable things, how do we know if we're simply seeing tricks or signs of real intelligence? Are talented animals just obeying commands, or do they have some kind of deeper understanding? One of the biggest challenges for animal researchers is to come up with tests that can distinguish between the two.