characteristics

noun

plural of characteristic
as in qualities
something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind the ability to fashion tools and other characteristics that distinguish human beings from other animals

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 characteristics Jack Reacher, protagonist of books by Lee Child and an ongoing Amazon drama, has several characteristics integral to his Jack Reacher-ness. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026 Hydrogen tackles flight phases Unlike conventional jet fuel, hydrogen has different combustion and storage characteristics, requiring changes to the systems that deliver and burn it. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 2026 The devices capture images of vehicle tags and characteristics, feeding searchable data to police departments. — Larry Seward, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026 Not to worry, though, because the Crossover series has some unique characteristics of its own. — New Atlas, 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 Many perennial flowers have characteristics that not only add beauty to your space but also improve soil quality. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 12 Aug. 2026 Financial firms are now gearing up to jump into the market in a different way, as executives like Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon and KKR's Waldemar Szlezak see AI equipment attaining familiar money-making characteristics. — Kif Leswing, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026 These characteristics were present throughout my youth and resurfacing. — Lori Resnick, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characteristics
  1. qualities
  2. traits
  3. attributes
  4. features
  5. attributions
  6. criteria
Noun
  • Scarcity, heritage, and exclusivity are part of what customers are paying for, and those qualities have helped create exceptional economics.
    — Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The philosophical qualities that define Lindelof’s best work, as well as his stories’ exhilarating strangeness, get lost in the jumble of voices.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of qualities
Noun
  • But this was his first opportunity to play against a live pass rush, which tested one of the traits that drew Los Angeles to Simpson.
    — Nate Atkins, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • In theory, Daniels could sue LSU for misappropriation of his right of publicity, which forbids the unauthorized commercial use of a college athlete’s name, image, likeness, signature, voice, nickname and other identifying traits.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of traits
Noun
  • But Roth had a vision for how his unique combination of attributes could not just benefit his own productions but the theater world at large.
    — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Foreign brands without those two attributes are being marginalized.
    — Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of attributes
Noun
  • The film emerged victorious in a lineup of 17 features at the Swiss fest, including new works by auteurs including Hong Sangsoo, Denis Côté, Ann Oren and Nelson Yeo.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The Pixel Watch 5 introduces a suite of health monitoring features called Health Guardian.
    — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of features
Noun
  • The work has bounced between several attributions over the years before scholar Giuseppe Porzio identified it as a painting by Glielmo, giving bidders a fresh reason to take notice.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 3 June 2026
  • Political discussions on social media are often dominated by competing attributions of more and more insidious motives to people on the other side.
    — Mark Schroeder, The Conversation, 20 Feb. 2026
Definition of attributions
Noun
  • Daniels is also not yet eligible, under LSU rules, to have his jersey retired, as the school has a five-year waiting period listed as one of its criteria for jersey retirement.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is determined by symptoms and physical signs, as well as diagnostic criteria.
    — Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of criteria

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characteristic
characteristics
characterize
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Cite this Entry

“Characteristics.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characteristics. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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