character 1 of 2

1
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

Relevance
2
3
4
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

7
8

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
The series’s expansion of the portrait of the prince’s other children is at first welcome, but this determination to better round out secondary characters soon becomes an enormous problem. Anthony Paletta, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025 Alanna is definitely in the running for my favorite overhauled show character. ArsTechnica, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
Drawing wigs, costume and props while on stage, Templin transforms herself, shifting from character to character in full view of the audience. Kay Johnson, Twin Cities, 15 Apr. 2024 Even the red herrings wound up important to character development and/or plot points. Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for character
Recent Examples of Synonyms for character
Noun
  • Experts have long debated the meaning of the 4-inch sculpture, though it is widely regarded to have been seen as a symbol of attractiveness and fertility.
    Rosa Rahimi, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2025
  • For Morris, the moon isn’t just a celestial body with a cratered, rocky surface, but a symbol of human vision and yearning.
    Leslie Katz, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Robert Redford delivers folksy wisdom as a local eccentric who once had his own dragon encounter, and even Karl Urban’s greedy logger is more of a nuisance than an outright villain.
    Josh Bell, Vulture, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Attracting talent for greater innovation hazards acquiring a few eccentrics whose gifts come wrapped in controversial packaging.
    Chip Bell, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Any further exploration into the play's themes of toxic masculinity, morality, and corruption, however, have been largely left at the wayside in favor of watching these men work.
    Emlyn Travis, EW.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • In Duplicity, Tyler Perry’s latest thriller, Meagan Tandy and Kat Graham take on roles that challenge perception, morality, and trust.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 31 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Denis has built a reputation as a go-to stylist for stunning, intricate braids, but her creativity doesn’t stop there.
    Martine Thompson, Essence, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Family-friendly Offerings While Bora Bora has a reputation for being a honeymooners' paradise, there are plenty of family-friendly activities here, too.
    Jess Feldman, Travel + Leisure, 31 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Overall, the analyst is bullish on EPD stock and views it as a core master limited partnership holding, having both offensive and defensive characteristics.
    TipRanks.com Staff, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2025
  • These are clones of individual grape varieties that have been bred to ensure certain characteristics, such as resistance to specific diseases.
    Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The wolf has a big representation for Shakira’s identity.
    Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Face coverings also have the benefit of shielding your identity from cameras and police surveillance.
    Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Christina Ricci is calling the fashion police on her younger self.
    Lauren Huff, EW.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Here, 19 Forbes Coaches Council members share strategies introverted leaders can use to effectively manage teams while remaining their authentic selves.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In person, 27-year-old actress Sydney Sweeney is every bit as sweet as her doe-eyed smile and wavy blonde hair suggest.
    Jessica Ourisman, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Beom-jun is the person behind the wheel of the car that hits Dong-sik.
    Kayti Burt, Time, 4 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Character.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/character. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on character

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!