character 1 of 2

Definition of characternext
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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

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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

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character

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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

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
That character — the little mustachioed guy in red overalls — was also Miyamoto’s creation. Alexander Kaplan, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026 Cassandra Peterson Cassandra Peterson, an actor and media personality from Manhattan, Kansas, is famous for her portrayal of the horror hostess character Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 19 Mar. 2026 So much of the story takes place from the protagonist’s point of view and Ryan’s character doesn’t know what’s happening initially. Brent Lang, Variety, 19 Mar. 2026 Where my character exists is before what happens that puts Wiress in the position and the mode that Amanda has her in. Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for character
Recent Examples of Synonyms for character
Noun
  • Contreras Aguilar has since latched on to the Kingdom case and submitted a March 11 filing self-identifying as a member of the class covered under the June preliminary injunction.
    Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 24 Mar. 2026
  • These materials self-assemble into nanoscale structures that can improve both strength and ion transport.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • During the 2014 Hong Kong Umbrella Movement, the yellow umbrella became a potent symbol of protest, representing protection from tear gas and a message of democracy and resistance.
    Jane M. Saks, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Nothing causes more pain in our community than seeing the image of Che Guevara worn as a hero’s symbol.
    Silvia Hernandez, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • But Banksy has courted a public image centered around morality, justice and guerrilla tactics — he’s often likened to Robin Hood or Batman.
    Laurie Kellman, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
  • But Banksy has courted a public image centered around morality, justice and guerrilla tactics — he’s often likened to Robin Hood or Batman.
    Laurie Kellman, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Niccol has built a reputation for stepping into difficult situations.
    Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 19 Mar. 2026
  • From a thriving artisanal craft tradition to a slate of luxury hospitality openings, Mallorca has a lot to offer these days to debunk its onetime reputation as a bland resort outpost.
    Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 18 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • There are eight valid reasons to rename a street, including honoring a person and enhancing a neighborhood through the association of a street name with its location, area characteristics, and history.
    Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
  • The lower limit is around 7 to 8 percent of the sun’s mass; any less than that, and there isn’t enough pressure in the core to sustain nuclear fusion, which is the prime characteristic of what makes a star a star.
    Phil Plait, Scientific American, 20 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The identities and ages of the victims have not been released at this time.
    CBS News, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Rank-and-file traders—dismissed by OGs as tourists—either panic-​sold, drifted toward shinier obsessions like AI and prediction markets, or quietly shed the identity of crypto bro altogether.
    Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 17 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Since early February, residents of the Big Bend region have been outspoken about border wall plans — both on social media and through in-person events hosted in cities in Brewster and Presidio counties.
    Lexi Salazar, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
  • In October 2025, an attacker drove his car into people gathered outside a Manchester synagogue to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur and stabbed one person to death.
    KRUTIKA PATHI, Arkansas Online, 24 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • In 2015, Robert Durst, a wealthy eccentric linked to two killings and his wife’s disappearance, was arrested by the FBI in New Orleans on a murder warrant a day before HBO aired the final episode of a serial documentary about his life.
    ABC News, ABC News, 28 Feb. 2026
  • On her trail are a Báthory relative who is vegetarian (Thomas Schubert), his psychotherapist (Lars Eidinger), two vampirologists, a police inspector and a gallery of eccentrics.
    Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Character.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/character. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.

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