CHARACTERS Synonyms: 218 Similar and Opposite Words

characters 1 of 2

noun

plural of character

as in symbols

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

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Relevance

as in eccentrics

a person of odd or whimsical habits the junk dealer is certainly a character, but he's as honest as they come

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in reputations

overall quality as seen or judged by people in general the general character of the business appears to be good

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as in characteristics

something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind one of the distinguishing characters of mammals

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as in identities

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

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as in personalities

the set of qualities that makes a person, a group of people, or a thing different from others the basic character of the work requires that an employee be able to work quietly and independently

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as in people

a member of the human race you wouldn't believe what kind of characters hang around the bus station

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characters

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of character

as in characterizes

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

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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 characters

Noun

Though the tension is supercharged by the Kennedy name and the characters’ mutual fame, the fight itself resembles any ordinary couple bickering about their in-laws and lost spark. —

Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2026 In the same way characters come and go, bulletins from the outside world pop up as backdrop, with references to The Balfour Declaration and, more pertinently, the upcoming Peel Commission, which, published the following year, would open the gates to partition. —

Damon Wise, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2026 The prologue that opens Ragtime loudly announces the musical’s epic ambitions as its nine fictional characters and six of its historical figures introduce themselves with third-person narration and shout-singing. —

Manuel Mendoza, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026 Presented in somewhat nonlinear chronology, much of the play consists of two-hander scenes between Adam and individual characters, including his new love interest, the confident and flirtatious Alycia (Emma Fulmer). —

Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026 And his writing evolved along with the series, as the characters grew more morally complex, and the plots became more intricate and convoluted. —

Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 27 Mar. 2026 Pop Mart also released the Labubu x Sanrio Characters Series, featuring Labubu vinyl plush pendants dressed as Sanrio characters Hello Kitty, My Melody, Kuromi, Cinnamoroll, Pochacco and Pompompurin. —

Julia Gomez, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026 In a career defined by timeless storytelling and unforgettable characters, Paul now tells the most personal story of all, his own. —

Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 26 Mar. 2026 Newport’s shaping of characters, set in two different time periods, and pacing allows for the broader historical stakes to resonate, yet never sacrifices Harmon’s gift for storytelling. —

Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026

Verb

What would Six Flags look like without its most valuable properties like Looney Tunes and, especially, its DC Comics characters Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman? —

Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025 KPop Demon Hunters characters Derpy Tiger and Sussie were also featured. —

Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 28 Nov. 2025 Netflix characters Derpy Tiger and Sussie from KPop Demon Hunters will also join the lineup. —

Daniel Orton, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for characters

Noun

Before the three scientists’ work, chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans were largely abstract animals to most people – zoo exhibits, textbook illustrations, evolutionary symbols.

— Mireya Mayor, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2026
The movie’s rage is righteous, its symbols profound.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026