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character 1 of 2

Definition of characternext
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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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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

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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
Despite the cesspits of conspiracy-think that pollute contemporary politics, the specific paranoia of Letts’s characters — bugs under the skin, brainwashing, nefarious doctors in government labs — feels less blazingly relevant than comparatively quaint. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026 For much of his career, Skarsgård has gravitated toward characters who weaponize physical presence — Vikings, tech titans and mythic brutes whose power is immediately legible. Clayton Davis, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026 For a ritzier option that stays in character, head to the Paris Café by Jean-Georges, where the celebrity chef’s menu is based on historic flight meals from the era, like Champagne chicken and poached pear almond cake. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Jan. 2026 The film’s premiere at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival kicked off a parade of red carpet appearances that paid homage to her on-screen character, an aging actress who makes a Faustian bargain. Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 9 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for character
Recent Examples of Synonyms for character
Noun
  • Burrus, a member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation who self-identifies as transgender, said losing faith in the Democrats and never having faith in the Republicans led to embracing communism.
    Asra Q. Nomani , Nikolas Lanum , Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Like all Americans, our officers have a right to self defense.
    WCCO Staff, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Safavi said symbols of the state have been targeted nationwide.
    Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
  • More importantly, the Venezuelan people deserve the chance to rebuild their society without fear and without being reduced to symbols in someone else's geopolitical argument.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The death of Amini in the custody of the morality police became a symbol of systemic repression, particularly against women.
    Washington Post, Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
  • Cami trying to bring morality to the oil industry sure sounds nice, but she would be eaten alive.
    William Earl, Variety, 4 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • This latest disaster will be framed by some as another blow to Minnesota's reputation.
    Phil Morris The Minnesota Star Tribune, Arkansas Online, 10 Jan. 2026
  • In 1984, Craig launched heli-fishing, using helicopters to ferry anglers to pristine alpine rivers no one had ever cast a line in, and the lodge's reputation exploded.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • But there are other factors that needled their way into the evolutionary development of dormancy characteristics.
    Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Jan. 2026
  • There’s no single definition in our modern times, but experts generally agree on a few characteristics.
    Angela Haupt, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Sensory design has played an enormous role in developing this new identity for the bathroom, and the 2026 NKBA Bath Trends Report shows that numerous sensory trends are expected to continue gaining mainstream traction.
    Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Police have not released name or identity of the man suspected shooting Patterson and his roommate.
    Jermont Terry, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Earlier that evening, Garden Grove police had been contacted by the Santa Ana Police Department, which was investigating a possible missing-person case after the woman failed to report to work, police said.
    Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 9 Jan. 2026
  • The occasional person on a walk or shopper at one of the barely dozen stores still open, but the sound inside the mall is mostly just silence.
    Tori Apodaca, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Also, Joan Cusack plays an infamous local eccentric, and a fictional pop star shows up!
    Mary Sollosi, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Dec. 2025
  • The logger and railsplitter occasionally encounters American eccentrics, like a chatty drifter prone to sporting bible verses and an old coot of a demolitions expert with a philosophical bent.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Character.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/character. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on character

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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