DISPOSITION Synonyms: 204 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'disposition' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of disposition are character , personality , temperament , and temper . While all these words mean "the dominant quality or qualities distinguishing a person or group," disposition implies customary moods and attitude toward the life around one. // a cheerful disposition

Q: When is it sensible to use 'character' instead of 'disposition'?

While the synonyms character and disposition are close in meaning, character applies to the aggregate of moral qualities by which a person is judged apart from intelligence, competence, or special talents. // strength of character

Q: When could 'personality' be used to replace 'disposition'?

The words personality and disposition are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, personality applies to an aggregate of qualities that distinguish one as a person. // a somber personality

Q: When might 'temper' be a better fit than 'disposition'?

While in some cases nearly identical to disposition , temper implies the qualities acquired through experience that determine how a person or group meets difficulties or handles situations. // a resilient temper

Q: When is 'temperament' a more appropriate choice than 'disposition'?

The words temperament and disposition can be used in similar contexts, but temperament implies a pattern of innate characteristics associated with one's specific physical and nervous organization. // an artistic temperament

disposition

noun

ˌdi-spə-ˈzi-shən

Definition of disposition next

as in temperament

one's characteristic attitude or mood he has a cheerful disposition and is very rarely depressed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in inclination

a habitual attraction to some activity or thing a woman with a disposition to fuss about trivial matters

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in removal

the getting rid of whatever is unwanted or useless we'll have to find some means for the disposition of all of this junk

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sequence

the way objects in space or events in time are arranged or follow one another planned the disposition of events at her wedding with a precision that military commanders would envy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in agreement

an arrangement about action to be taken all that remains is a disposition regarding the custody of the two children

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word disposition distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of disposition are character, personality, temperament, and temper. While all these words mean "the dominant quality or qualities distinguishing a person or group," disposition implies customary moods and attitude toward the life around one.

a cheerful disposition

When is it sensible to use character instead of disposition?

While the synonyms character and disposition are close in meaning, character applies to the aggregate of moral qualities by which a person is judged apart from intelligence, competence, or special talents.

strength of character

When could personality be used to replace disposition?

The words personality and disposition are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, personality applies to an aggregate of qualities that distinguish one as a person.

a somber personality

When might temper be a better fit than disposition?

While in some cases nearly identical to disposition, temper implies the qualities acquired through experience that determine how a person or group meets difficulties or handles situations.

a resilient temper

When is temperament a more appropriate choice than disposition?

The words temperament and disposition can be used in similar contexts, but temperament implies a pattern of innate characteristics associated with one's specific physical and nervous organization.

an artistic temperament

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 disposition For Mehdi’s quieter disposition, Guellaty makes his illustrations come alive. —

Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 31 Jan. 2025 When Rivero’s time comes, his son will be the one to handle the disposition of his body. —

Collin Blinder, The Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2025 Our administration was completely clear that there would be no action taken during the course of the last day of this administration, that ultimately the disposition of the situation would fall on to the next administration to decide and to execute. —

ABC News, 19 Jan. 2025 Critics say maintaining the evidence room keeps cops busy and away from the street, while causing inefficiencies in the disposition of cases. —

Ben Brachfeld, People.com, 16 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for disposition

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disposition

Noun

These two equines also have very different temperaments.

— Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025
Admin temperaments are broken down into four types: super-doer, reluctant-doer, admin-avoider and admin-denier, according to Columbia Law School professor Elizabeth Emens.

— Brittney Melton, NPR, 6 Feb. 2025