Definition of characternext
1
2
as in symbol
a written or printed mark that is meant to convey information to the reader the pictorial characters of the ancient Egyptians had long been a mystery

Synonyms & Similar Words

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5
6
as in identity
the set of qualities that make a person different from other people she regards each of her children as having a distinctive character that should be valued for what it is

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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character

2 of 2

verb

as in to characterize
to point out the chief quality or qualities of an individual or group formerly charactered as "the dark ages," that period of history may not have been quite so benighted as once thought

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word character different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of character are attribute, property, and quality. While all these words mean "an intelligible feature by which a thing may be identified," character applies to a peculiar and distinctive quality of a thing or a class.

remarks of an unseemly character

When might attribute be a better fit than character?

The words attribute and character can be used in similar contexts, but attribute implies a quality ascribed to a thing or a being.

the attributes of a military hero

When can property be used instead of character?

The synonyms property and character are sometimes interchangeable, but property implies a characteristic that belongs to a thing's essential nature and may be used to describe a type or species.

the property of not conducting heat

In what contexts can quality take the place of character?

The meanings of quality and character largely overlap; however, quality is a general term applicable to any trait or characteristic whether individual or generic.

material with a silky quality

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of character
Noun
My issue isn’t with the fact the show is suddenly adding characters who aren’t in the book but with the whiplash from the dramatic vibe shift. Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026 The streamer said today the movie will feature original songs, new characters, and a few familiar faces in the Roald Dahl adaptation. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2026 Variety broke the news last year that Almost Friday is developing a mockumentary show around the character. Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026 There’s a palpable level of care between you as the performer and your character, which then translates into a palpable level of care between Gwayne and the people around him. Josh Wigler, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for character
Recent Examples of Synonyms for character
Noun
  • Meloni's current fashion choices — and political rhetoric — contrast starkly with those of her younger self.
    ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The wrapper choice becomes a tax and custody question, ETFs for IRAs, coins for those who want transfers and eventually self-custody, rather than a venue choice.
    Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Yet historical symbols often outlive the contexts in which they were created, and the American alligator bears the imprint of a long racial history.
    The Conversation, The Conversation, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Soap and water typically do the job Disinfectants became a symbol of protection during the pandemic.
    Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • On the other side, morality is supposed to protect people’s personal autonomy and freedom, even when others in their community dislike or disagree with their choices.
    Jen Cole Wright, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Fischer studies cultural anthropology, specializing in matters of economics and moralities.
    Big Think, Big Think, 2 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The Dolby Atmos Premier Mix Studio, the first of its kind in India at that level, established Annapurna’s reputation for investing beyond what the immediate market would recover.
    Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The Boeing 767, introduced in 1982, is regarded as a reliable workhorse of the skies, in contrast to the beleaguered reputation of the Boeing 737 MAX, which lost faith with customers early, after two fatal crashes.
    Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The devices capture images of vehicle tags and characteristics, feeding searchable data to police departments.
    Larry Seward, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Flock cameras photographed passing vehicles and used software to record information including license plate numbers, vehicle characteristics, dates, times and locations in searchable databases.
    Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Hence the switch, a year or so after the film’s release, to a stadium now named after the latest in a long line of sponsors that, for all the vital money brought in, have slightly eroded identity.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Meloni is hardly the only world leader to project political identity through wardrobe choices.
    ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • One police officer was killed and another person injured when a gunman opened fire in a Montreal neighborhood in June, officials said.
    Mark Morales, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Abarca alleged that the situation involved at least one legislative staffer and one legislator, and that at least one person has been placed on administrative leave as a result.
    Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • With its loose ends and digressions, Dream Me a Dream stays true to those idiosyncratic instincts while retaining enough of the welcoming glow of Dance of Love to make this an affecting farewell from an endearing eccentric.
    Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Pitchfork, 22 June 2026
  • The eccentric cuz is quick to try and help Bobby solve problems, which often gets him into trouble, but ultimately pushes him out of his shell.
    Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 20 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Character.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/character. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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