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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 Among those outraged by Trump and Bondi’s handling of the files is FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, a former law enforcement officer who has encouraged Epstein theories in his new career as a media personality and podcaster. Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 13 July 2025 Her one-liners and unique personality have taken a life of their own on social media. Christopher Kuhagen, jsonline.com, 13 July 2025 Transfer talk: Tottenham sign Kudus for £55m and target £60m Gibbs-White Have Tottenham Hotspur undergone a personality transplant? Phil Hay, New York Times, 11 July 2025 Professional Photo: Use a high-quality, professional headshot that reflects your personality—and make sure to smile. Jay Garcia, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for personality
Recent Examples of Synonyms for personality
Noun
  • But the real stars of the program weren’t celebrities.
    Essence, Essence, 14 July 2025
  • Also an elite golfer, Pavelski had an opportunity to kiss a trophy on Sunday, when he was presented with a crystal chalice after a walk-off eagle gave him first place at the 2025 American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament.
    Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • The identity of the suspect has also not been released.
    Kiki Intarasuwan July 14, CBS News, 14 July 2025
  • Youssef is a bridge of sorts between multiple modes of Muslim identity.
    Hanif Abdurraqib, New Yorker, 13 July 2025
Noun
  • The Help actress instead provides lots of love, support and encouragement for Genesis to be her truest self.
    Kayla Grant, People.com, 11 July 2025
  • March 2025 The Lovers: March seems to be a month of making major choices and aligning with your future self, Pisces.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • Previous Lumiere honorees include some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Clint Eastwood, Martin Scorsese, Jane Fonda, Francis Ford Coppola, Quentin Tarantino, and Tim Burton, alongside European stars, such as Isabelle Huppert and Catherine Deneuve.
    Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 11 July 2025
  • In the second match of the semifinals, Sinner will face No. 6 Novak Djokovic, in a contest between one of tennis’ newer stars with a likely dominant career ahead, and one who is among the greatest ever to play but is now age 38.
    Jess Bryant, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • Actor Tom Welling played Ultraman in live-action form on a 2010 episode of Smallville, which introduced the character as Clark Luthor of Earth-Two.
    EW.com, EW.com, 14 July 2025
  • Now, many of these larger-than-life characters, which reach up to 24 feet tall, have found a second home at the American Giants Museum, which opened in 2023 in Atlanta, Illinois (pop. 1,669), on Old Route 66.
    AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • Jefferson rooted the Declaration in natural philosophy, or the philosophical study of nature and the physical universe without consideration of supernatural causes.
    Time, Time, 1 July 2025
  • This combination of diagnostic capability with a conversational nature and flow is a key differentiator for Beauty Genius, which was unveiled by L’Oréal chief executive officer Nicolas Hieronimus at the 2024 Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas.
    Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • Adding insult, he was called for eight fouls in Tuesday night’s victory over the Golden State Warriors, with players allowed 10 in summer league, four above the regular-season maximum.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2025
  • Amid the mix of compliments and insults from obvious trolls, many thought ATB bore a striking resemblance to another member of the family.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • Fans in the comments applauded Carpenter’s use of sarcasm to indirectly address the hoopla.
    Sam Reed, Glamour, 26 June 2025
  • There’s always a little colored sarcasm in our music, there’s a little tongue-in-cheek, but then there is always some really deep meaningful subject matter on our records, too.
    Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Personality.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/personality. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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