description

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 Each sheet’s product description should list the pocket’s measurements. Kathleen Felton, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 June 2025 Read more about each of the movies below; the descriptions are all directly from Lifetime. Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2025 Below is a brief description and tasting notes on the whiskeys. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025 The Braves have also been one of the worst offenses in the late innings of close games, though Sunday didn’t meet that description after Colorado’s six-run seventh inning. David O'Brien, New York Times, 16 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for description
Recent Examples of Synonyms for description
Noun
  • It was made to provide a true depiction of what was happening at the time.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 17 June 2025
  • From his first girlfriend, living in his London apartment with his Jamaican parents, to moments at the house of ill fame and the tribulations of being a Bronx landlord, observers are offered a realistic depiction of Slick Rick’s journey to legend.
    Ime Ekpo, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • The first one featured a portrait of President Harry Truman as man of the year for his decision to bomb Japan.
    Carol Sutton Lewis, Scientific American, 18 June 2025
  • Highlighting the brand’s first Aqua Terra timepiece in 30mm, the campaign features portraits of Ariana DeBose, Ashley Graham, Tems, Danielle Marsha, Marisa Abela and Sunday Rose Kidman Urban, the eldest daughter of Nicole Kidman and country singer Keith Urban.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to events.
    Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
  • The move marks the first time a major Hollywood studio has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit of this kind.
    Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 11 June 2025
Noun
  • Cruz, the son of an undocumented immigrant from El Salvador who came to the U.S. in the 1970s, said he’s angered by the federal government’s portrayal that anyone without documents living in the United States is a criminal.
    Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
  • With his tongue-in-cheek portrayal of himself, outlandish costumes (a wedding veil and a hair band adorned with chess pieces are among his more subtle accessories) and unabating love of drama, the Scottish multihyphenate has subverted the norms of TV host.
    Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • The two benches and dugouts cleared as the two men made momentary physical contact, sparking a brown and blue mosh pit of sorts behind home plate to cap a series that left both sides more black and blue and chapped than anything else.
    Dennis Lin, New York Times, 20 June 2025
  • Trump’s policy agenda, which includes 3 things [1] tariffs, [2] mass deportations, and [3] tax cuts, could create a perfect storm of sorts.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • The upload continued with an intimate picture of Chris cradling a baby to his chest, a snap of the family coloring at a kitchen table, and one of Chris and his two daughters with a horse.
    Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 16 June 2025
  • There was a picture on somebody’s Instagram with a side-by-side of him and me.
    Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2025
Noun
  • Seen from above, the frog is dark brown with pale brown stripes on its limbs.
    Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 11 June 2025
  • What to look for in a quality baby bib Colors and prints Baby bibs come in a wide array of prints, designs and colors, including animal designs, florals, options with cute slogans, dots, stripes, stars and geometric patterns.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025
Noun
  • In my opinion, Florida’s shield law offers the clearest and most comprehensive definition of a journalist, and should be adopted as a universal standard.
    Ime Ekpo, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
  • After verbally attacking President Donald Trump and top White House aide Stephen Miller with vile and repugnant rhetoric, Moran secured a spot for himself as the poster child for the definition of a world-class hater.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 19 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Description.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/description. Accessed 25 Jun. 2025.

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