Definition of characternext
1
2
as in symbol
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4
5
6
as in identity
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

7
8

character

2 of 2

verb

as in to characterize
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word character different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of character are attribute, property, and quality. While all these words mean "an intelligible feature by which a thing may be identified," character applies to a peculiar and distinctive quality of a thing or a class.

remarks of an unseemly character

When might attribute be a better fit than character?

The words attribute and character can be used in similar contexts, but attribute implies a quality ascribed to a thing or a being.

the attributes of a military hero

When can property be used instead of character?

The synonyms property and character are sometimes interchangeable, but property implies a characteristic that belongs to a thing's essential nature and may be used to describe a type or species.

the property of not conducting heat

In what contexts can quality take the place of character?

The meanings of quality and character largely overlap; however, quality is a general term applicable to any trait or characteristic whether individual or generic.

material with a silky quality

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 character
Noun
With him as Digger Rockwell, there was this hurricane, this kind of operatic character coming at you 100 miles per hour. — ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026 The competition becomes a tender and funny musical showcase, with each character getting a revealing moment in the spotlight. — James Folta, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2026 Kathryn Hunter, John Ratzenberger, and Jamie Costa will also voice as-yet-undisclosed characters. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2026 Each signature shoe was made the silent main character of a short movie. — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for character
Recent Examples of Synonyms for character
Noun
  • Particularly in instances like these, replace negative self-talk with self-compassion.
    — Jasmine Johnson, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
  • As the duo row through pitch-black darkness toward the flame, John experiences harrowing visions of his father and of his younger self, revealed to be an effect of the fear toxin lingering in the air.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Extensive media coverage turned Abascal into a symbol of Spain’s housing crisis.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The installation was meant to challenge Muslim stereotypes while making a subversive nod to the bread as a famous French symbol.
    — Siran Babayan, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • This perception of threat, intertwined with a harsh interpretation of religious morality, dominated 17th-century life, with the optimistic, protective and compassionate aspects of Christianity often overpowered by fear and a desire to judge.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Andie is a creature of pure ambition and nearly blank morality, a sweatshirt-wearing, 2000s-era daughter of Lady Macbeth and Faye Dunaway in Network, though Wever purposefully didn’t revisit that film to keep her own performance distinct.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Competitors, well aware of Meta’s reputation, are trying to win by making privacy central to their designs.
    — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Related Articles In response to the mural, the city of Bristol, which boasts an international reputation for street art, including producing the artist Banksy, received strong pushback from its local arts community.
    — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 24 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Also, its rolling olive oil cart, replete with its own menu describing the oils’ characteristics and origins, allows passengers to sample many.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The design is part of Kairos Power’s approach to developing advanced reactors with different safety characteristics from traditional nuclear plants.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Tempel-Bornett said that despite the discovery of the tags, the identities of the two soldiers remain unknown.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The identity graph makes sure that signal is trustworthy, tying the usage drop to the right account and the right people.
    — Thomas Zawacki, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Normally in a Housewives fight like this, the person getting caught would be defensive or fire back twice as hard, but Vicki simply doesn’t care.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
  • But, no offense, the most popular person in the stadium on Saturday afternoon will be the Sheriff himself, Peyton Manning, who will be in attendance to watch his nephew Arch Manning square off against his beloved Tennessee Vols.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The public reckonings with these figures’ legacies—the troubled former child star gone too soon, the beloved icon, the cult favorite, the complicated eccentric—have come in a cascade.
    — Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Make sure to practice a full range of motion with these and emphasize the eccentric (the way down) part of the movement for maximal time under tension and muscle-building stimulus.
    — Jakob Roze, HEALTH, 19 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Character.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/character. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on character

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster