Thesaurus results for DESCRIPTION

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

description

noun

di-ˈskrip-shən

Definition of description

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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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 It is generated from a mathematical description of a three-dimensional space. — Aman Kumar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Sep. 2026 The list of doc fund grantees is below along with descriptions of the filmmakers’ projects. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026 Agents are not people, but in both cases, a role description only tells us so much about performance in changing circumstances. — Hanah-Marie Darley, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026 Weld County Sheriff's Office The pilot spotted a woman walking on the Poudre River Trail nearby who appeared to match the suspect's description. — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for description

Recent Examples of Synonyms for description

Noun

The play’s depiction of extrajudicial killing and out-of-control military leadership resonate with Whitford.

— Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026
In fact, the book’s depiction of Nick’s friendship and burgeoning relationship with Daisy’s golf-loving best friend Jordan Baker is upgraded to a torrid romance with its own love song and bedroom scenes that match Daisy’s and Gatsby’s.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of depiction

Noun

Wiley noted that his role as the painter of President Barack Obama’s official portrait —mentioned by Scavino in a podcast interview—might have something to do with the work’s targeting.

— News Desk, Artforum, 29 Sep. 2026
Appeal for leniency Rivera has submitted about 50 letters of support to Damian, filling about 95 pages and presenting a portrait of the former congressman markedly different from the one offered by prosecutors.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of portrait

Noun

Yard art of any sort is a bad idea, according to Jonathan Self, a real estate broker at Compass.

— Sheila Kim, The Spruce, 21 Sep. 2026
But Clemson reeled the Tar Heels back in, slowing down a rushing attack led by Benjamin Hall (130 rushing yards) and making quarterback Billy Edwards, by the end, look flustered and out of sorts.

— Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of sort

Noun

These two novels are just a sampling of recent portrayals of this surreal land of limbo, but there are many more.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
The 20th episode of the first season is beloved by Clevelanders for its portrayal of their city as an over-the-top friendly place when Floyd takes Liz there to show her around.

— Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of portrayal

Noun

The matching trousers, made from fine wool, have a silk-satin side stripe, along with a bow tie and a cummerbund in the same material.

— Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 2 Oct. 2026
Chasing Paper Linen Stripe Peel and Stick Wallpaper As Rees mentioned, trends come and trends go, but the classic stripe is forever.

— Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of stripe

Noun

But the overall picture of religious infighting in 1640s Britain is essential to understanding how some people, especially poorer folk and especially women, found themselves on the wrong side of powerful, pious opponents.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
This result reveals a mechanism distinct from the conventional picture of particle-antiparticle production and could offer a new way to study phenomena that are otherwise difficult to calculate.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of picture

Noun

To balance its titular genres—to portray Bogart as playing Spider-Man—the show needed an actor who would neither wear the role like a suit nor find it within himself.

— Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
But the film hardly even merits such empty pastiche, and there’s little else to distinguish it from much cheap-and-cheerful streaming fodder in this genre space.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of genre

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descries

description

descriptions

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“Description.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/description. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of description

noun

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