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character 1 of 2

noun

ˈker-ik-tər How to pronounce character (audio)
Definition of characternext
1
as in self
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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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

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3
as in morality
conduct that conforms to an accepted standard of right and wrong we need more people of sound character in public office

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in reputation
overall quality as seen or judged by people in general the general character of the business appears to be good

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5
as in characteristic
something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind one of the distinguishing characters of mammals

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in person
a member of the human race you wouldn't believe what kind of characters hang around the bus station

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in eccentric
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

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

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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
But there was another Olivia Benson on the screen that night … the cat Olivia Benson, whom the pop superstar — who boasts 277 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 to date — named after the beloved character played by Hargitay for 27 seasons and counting. — Anna Chan, Billboard, 16 Sep. 2026 In fact, Keri Russell has even revealed that Amanda Foreman, who played her roommate Meghan, has a pitch for where your characters would be in middle age. — Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026 Taking advantage of the building’s unusual scale and character, the workrooms have also been used for photo and film shoots. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 16 Sep. 2026 Neil Fuentes, a founder of the New Haven Academy of Performing Arts and the artistic director of Broadway on Main, brings an uncommon gentility and hearty spirit to the character of Murray the Cop. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for character
Recent Examples of Synonyms for character
  1. self
  2. symbol
  3. morality
  4. reputation
  5. characteristic
  6. identity
  7. person
  8. eccentric
Noun
  • In his autobiography, Olivier admits to feeling guilt and self-loathing over the red-hot affair, especially since his wife was pregnant with their son Tarquin.
    — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Monthlies, which get you a live-in super, more laundry in the basement, and a private storage unit, are notably low at $1,094, probably because the co-op is self-managed.
    — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of self
Noun
  • But the distinctive caps – among the most recognizable symbols of the British monarchy – have become increasingly contentious for their use of real bear fur.
    — James Frater, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Pérez was particularly upset that the police had come to arrest the two men in a white van with tinted windows—a symbol of the dictatorship, which used such vehicles to disappear its victims—and that the government had not stopped this.
    — Will Freeman, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of symbol
Noun
  • Four years ago this week, a 22-year-old woman named Mahsa Jina Amini died after being detained by Iran’s morality police for allegedly violating the country’s compulsory hijab rules.
    — Pegah Banihashemi, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
  • In a climate which increasingly tells people in these farmers communities that those two values are not politically aligned, sustainable farmers of faith told me that Berry validated their own sense of morality.
    — Sydney Giacalone, The Conversation, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of morality
Noun
  • Large Amounts of Coffee Coffee has a reputation for causing dehydration, but that’s not the whole story.
    — Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The largest carriers already have reasons to stay compliant, including public reputation and legal liability.
    — John Kelly, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of reputation
Noun
  • This characteristic can provide significant resistance to scratching and wear in demanding environments.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026
  • His mentality, weathered by his upbringing, is perhaps his most defining characteristic.
    — Andrew Destin, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of characteristic
Noun
  • There’s a lot about the incident that Palo Alto couldn’t disclose — or doesn’t even know — including the specific company that was targeted, the identity of the human hacker, and what AI models were used.
    — J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Its claim to the archipelago, roughly 300 miles off its coast, is enshrined in the constitution and woven into national identity, drawing support across the country’s political divisions.
    — Sergio Farella, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of identity
Noun
  • Macklemore invited Robert Kraft, the owner of Gillette Stadium and the New England Patriots and the person who pressured Messina Tour Group to fire him, to match his donation.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
  • There was a large fight on campus and a report of a person armed with a gun, resulting in a lockdown Thursday at Plantation High School, according to police.
    — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of person
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
Definition of eccentric

Phrases Containing character

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char
character
character assassination
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Cite this Entry

“Character.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/character. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on character

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about character

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