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

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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

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
From musty star maps to ratty psychics, the movie so adores Los Angeles that Thomas Lennon’s hair stylist character is a riff on local billboard king Chaz Dean. Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026 The reader has very little sense of the day or time, and characters have little interiority. Carolyn Kellogg, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026 The series, which is currently in production on its second season, saw the reunion of Gilligan and Seehorn following their work together on Better Call Saul, co-created by Gilligan and in which Seehorn played the character of Kim Wexler. Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 8 July 2026 Like its 2023 predecessor, Evil Dead Burn starts with the brisk dispatch of secondary characters at a pretty lakeside spot — the film was shot in New Zealand — where buddies Jared (Keanu Karim) and Leo (Tapiwa Soropa) are fishing. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for character
Recent Examples of Synonyms for character
Noun
  • Live in the moment, but don’t make promises your future self has to keep.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 July 2026
  • This bold decision proved successful, underscoring her philosophy of self-advocacy in the industry.
    Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Noun
  • In each of the portraits, his subjects are draped by the white veil, both a symbol of matrimony and silence.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
  • The Tass news agency cited Nadezhdin’s lawyer as saying he had been charged with displaying symbols of extremist organizations.
    Reuters, NBC news, 14 July 2026
Noun
  • Expect plenty of action, interpersonal tensions and philosophical dilemmas around destiny and morality.
    Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • In an interview, Worner said that while saints are ultimately mortal and therefore not perfect, there is a certain criterion of morality decided by a multitude of individuals.
    Vivian Wilson, Twin Cities, 8 July 2026
Noun
  • But with a lack of snow, its reputation is at risk of melting away.
    Cristopher Ulloa, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • The president sued the Times last year, accusing it of defaming him, disparaging his reputation and seeking to undermine his 2024 candidacy.
    Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 11 July 2026
Noun
  • The company specializes in flight controls engineering, simulation, and aircraft systems that help engineers validate handling characteristics before flight testing begins.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 8 July 2026
  • Some characteristics can, however, be defined as on the whole necessary for any beach and any mood.
    Alex Ledsom, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Noun
  • This plan, spearheaded by the Mohammed VI Academy and coach Nasser Larguet, modernized Moroccan football by integrating European methodologies with a national identity.
    Chris Evans, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
  • The person’s identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, police said.
    Jason Green, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
Noun
  • Fan Fest hits capacity Though it’s been popular, the free experience on the grounds of the National World War I Museum and Memorial had never hit its 25,000-person capacity — until today.
    The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 12 July 2026
  • Looks like an interesting docu-series, though, maybe especially for those of us who will never go in person.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 12 July 2026
Noun
  • With its loose ends and digressions, Dream Me a Dream stays true to those idiosyncratic instincts while retaining enough of the welcoming glow of Dance of Love to make this an affecting farewell from an endearing eccentric.
    Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Pitchfork, 22 June 2026
  • The eccentric cuz is quick to try and help Bobby solve problems, which often gets him into trouble, but ultimately pushes him out of his shell.
    Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 20 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Character.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/character. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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