description

noun

di-ˈskrip-shən How to pronounce description (audio)
Definition of descriptionnext
1
as in depiction
a vivid representation in words of someone or something we immediately recognized the man from our cousin's description of him

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in type
a number of persons or things that are grouped together because they have something in common fixes small appliances and other things of that description

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word description distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of description are character, kind, nature, sort, and type. While all these words mean "a number of individuals thought of as a group because of a common quality or qualities," description implies a group marked by agreement in all details belonging to a type as described or defined.

not all acts of that description are actually illegal

When might character be a better fit than description?

The meanings of character and description largely overlap; however, character implies a group marked by distinctive likenesses peculiar to the type.

research on the subject so far has been of an elementary character

When could kind be used to replace description?

While the synonyms kind and description are close in meaning, kind may suggest natural grouping.

a zoo seemingly having animals of every kind

When would nature be a good substitute for description?

The words nature and description can be used in similar contexts, but nature may imply inherent, essential resemblance rather than obvious or superficial likenesses.

two problems of a similar nature

When can sort be used instead of description?

In some situations, the words sort and description are roughly equivalent. However, sort often suggests some disparagement.

the sort of newspaper dealing in sensational stories

In what contexts can type take the place of description?

The synonyms type and description are sometimes interchangeable, but type may suggest strong and clearly marked similarity throughout the items included so that each is typical of the group.

one of three basic body types

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 description But the character description intrigued Lee, a Korean-American actor, because the role was written as a character of Korean descent. —Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2025 As a result, the body of each message named the recipient website by name and included a brief description of the service provided by it. —Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2025 Johansson, 40, filed a restraining order against a man fitting Branham’s description in November 2023, according to The Blast. —Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2025 Officers searched the area but did not find a person matching the robber’s description, police said. —Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for description
Recent Examples of Synonyms for description
  1. depiction
  2. portrait
  3. kind
  4. portrayal
  5. sort
  6. picture
  7. stripe
  8. definition
Noun
  • The effort is crucial to providing visitors a historically accurate depiction of the site during the battle, Amy Rogers, executive director of the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site and Museum, tells Axios.
    — Jay R. Jordan, Axios, 10 Mar. 2025
  • One of the challenges of the Salome story has been its often-misogynistic depiction of Salome and her mother Herodias.
    — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of depiction
Noun
  • In this slice-of-life portrait, Chen shows how childhood experiences can shape someone, illustrating how a childhood passion might expand their horizons without necessarily becoming a lifelong vocation.
    — Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Its cover is also an artwork: a painting by Will St. John, who often makes portraits of drag queens and trans models done in the style of Renaissance paintings.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of portrait
Noun
  • They’re elevated off the ground and deep enough to grow flowers or veggies of all kinds.
    — Christopher Murray, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Wednesday's jury award marks one of the largest of its kind since the advent of the #MeToo movement, as well as in New York state history, said attorney Brad Beckworth, of the law firm Nix Patterson LLP, in an interview.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of kind
Noun
  • The film’s portrayal of the right-wing politics, especially around 2002 Gujarat riots, led to controversies.
    — Sweta Kaushal, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Her portrayal of Claire Underwood in the Netflix series won her a Golden Globe and multiple Emmy Award noms.
    — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of portrayal
Noun
  • In fact, the notion of a charter for Chicago is having a moment of sorts.
    — David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Newsom launched a podcast in March, and his early guests included a MAGA A-List of sorts.
    — David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of sort
Noun
  • Photograph: Silas Stein/picture alliance via Getty Images This story originally appeared on Vox and is part of the Climate Desk collaboration.
    — Umair Irfan, Wired News, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Still, Hynes wasn’t about to paint a pretty picture about losing to the Isles.
    — Michael Russo, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of picture
Noun
  • But that’s how Duke, despite not making a single basket over the final four minutes, was able to hold on — because the best free-throw shooting team left in the field made 23 of its 27 attempts from the charity stripe, including nine of 10 in the last two minutes.
    — Brendan Marks, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The Magic forward is shooting 48% from the field, 36% from beyond the arc on 6.5 long-range attempts and 80.1% at the charity stripe on 9.5 attempts.
    — Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of stripe
Noun
  • Moisturizing Curl Defining Gel This gel is formulated to offer a soft, flexible hold while boosting curl definition and delivering moisture.
    — Corein Carter, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • This year’s Overlook Film Festival was filled with bold movies, many of which broadened the definition of traditional horror.
    — William Earl, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of definition

Browse Nearby Words

descries
description
descriptions
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Description.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/description. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on description

Nglish: Translation of description for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about description

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