Definition of personalitynext
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Synonym Chooser

How is the word personality distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of personality are character, disposition, temperament, and temper. While all these words mean "the dominant quality or qualities distinguishing a person or group," personality applies to an aggregate of qualities that distinguish one as a person.

a somber personality

When is it sensible to use character instead of personality?

Although the words character and personality have much in common, character applies to the aggregate of moral qualities by which a person is judged apart from intelligence, competence, or special talents.

strength of character

In what contexts can disposition take the place of personality?

In some situations, the words disposition and personality are roughly equivalent. However, disposition implies customary moods and attitude toward the life around one.

a cheerful disposition

When would temper be a good substitute for personality?

While in some cases nearly identical to personality, 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 personality?

The words temperament and personality 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 personality Neill was, by all accounts, a veritable Mensch with a warmly low-key and self-deprecating personality. ArsTechnica, 15 July 2026 Several members of the family have been noted personalities in arts and culture. Nick Tabor, Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 July 2026 But in the video, Baldwin almost immediately gave in to what his many critics say is expected of a polarizing media personality who comes across as entitled, narcissistic and attention-seeking. Martha Ross, Mercury News, 15 July 2026 Chief among these are the Trojan horse and Odysseus’ leading role in its deployment, which, for Nolan, becomes the crux of the story, shaping Odysseus’ personality and determining the course of his life through his wanderings. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for personality
Recent Examples of Synonyms for personality
Noun
  • During his tenure, Rousteing spearheaded the creation of the ‘Balmain Army’, a diverse and influential community of models, influencers, and celebrities that included figures such as the Kardashians.
    Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 14 July 2026
  • The event is operating at a scale on par with the Super Bowl or Olympics, with multiple performances and celebrity cameos.
    Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026
Noun
  • His reporting focuses on luxury travel and culture-forward experiences that explore how place, identity, and hospitality intersect.
    Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
  • To attract the cautious consumers, analysts say, restaurants and retailers need to have lower prices or demonstrate a distinct brand identity that people will pay extra for.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
Noun
  • The robot’s success rate at a self-tapping nut loading station has reached 98 percent, reducing the gap with human workers’ qualification rate to just one percentage point.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 July 2026
  • Maybe that hard-won self-belief is exactly what keeps her so grounded.
    Riann Phillip, Vogue, 15 July 2026
Noun
  • But for Wildmon and Buchanan, in-your-face avant-garde art was an insult to the average person, certainly the average American Christian.
    Louis Menand, New Yorker, 13 July 2026
  • Musk and Altman have repeatedly traded blows in recent years, mocking each other’s businesses and lobbing personal insults.
    Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
Noun
  • At halftime on the field of play at the New York New Jersey Stadium, megawatt stars including Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Burna Boy, and Justin Bieber will take to the stage, co-signing a handful of designers.
    Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 16 July 2026
  • Fans suspected something was off when star and producer Blake Lively and costar-director Justin Baldoni abstained from doing joint press — or even being photographed together — during the film's promotional tour.
    Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026
Noun
  • Wicked Wonderland follows 2024’s The Rise of Red, where Cantrall’s character and Cinderella’s daughter Chloe (Malia Baker) team up to go back in time and reverse the event that resulted in the Queen of Hearts’ evil path.
    Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026
  • What saves Hyperdrive is the dry humour and the slightly insane set and character design.
    William Worrall, Space.com, 15 July 2026
Noun
  • The on-again, off-again nature of the conflict could delay oil demand’s bounce-back even further.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
  • The work has proceeded deliberately, district officials say, because of the historic nature of the McAuley building.
    Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026
Noun
  • Widow’s Bay landed 19 nominations including for stars Matthew Rhys, Kate O’Flynn, in her incredible turn as eccentric assistant Patricia, Dale Dickey, for her chain-smoking sarcasm as Rosemary, and Stephen Root for his obstinate Wyck Crawford.
    Peter White, Deadline, 8 July 2026
  • Bluth family at the show's center, while Howard narrated the action with plenty of sarcasm.
    Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 29 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Personality.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/personality. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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