as in trait
something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind
the ability to fashion tools and other characteristics that distinguish human beings from other animals
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in distinctive
serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group
the characteristic taste of licorice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in typical
having or showing the qualities associated with the members of a particular group or kind
the characteristic wit and good-naturedness of the Irish
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of characteristic
Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2026
The companies positioned to capture the bulk of the inference economy share three characteristics.
—Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 10 May 2026
As plants use rainwater to grow, their leaves pick up the rain’s characteristic ratio of hydrogen isotopes—atoms with the same number of protons and different numbers of neutrons.
—Hannah Richter, Scientific American, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for characteristic
Noun
Hankey will show some birds of prey and discuss their characteristics and adaptions.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2026
The companies positioned to capture the bulk of the inference economy share three characteristics.
—Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
Adjective
These appear when the intense, unresolved light from the AGN interacts with the geometry of Webb’s hexagonal mirror segments and the support struts of its secondary mirror, slightly bending the light and creating the characteristic pattern.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 10 May 2026
As plants use rainwater to grow, their leaves pick up the rain’s characteristic ratio of hydrogen isotopes—atoms with the same number of protons and different numbers of neutrons.
—Hannah Richter, Scientific American, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for characteristic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characteristic
Noun
-
What coaches do is acquire and elevate the players who have the cultural traits the team needs.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
-
Music, both as one character’s defining trait and as a story-telling device — snippets of pop tunes across decades swiftly drive time shifts in the play’s first two acts — is a major aspect.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
The oat crust contributes its own distinctive earthy, toasty flavor.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2026
-
Balagov is indisputably a filmmaker with his own distinctive vision, ideally matched with Evgueni and Sacha Galperine’s glowering score and with Fray’s nimble shooting style, which often takes its cue to get in close from the knotted bodies on the wrestling mats.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
The typical lifespan of a tire pressure monitoring sensor (TPMS) battery is about 7–10 years.—
Hartford Courant,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
-
At NBCUniversal’s upfront on May 11, as has become typical for this time of year, Bravo flooded the zone.—
Kate Aurthur,
Variety,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Inés, the nine-year-old Chilean protagonist of The Meltdown (El Deshielo), the sophomore feature of actress-turned-writer/director Manuela Martelli (God Will Not Help, The Future), is about to find out the hard way how that concept applies to hidden truths and family trauma.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2026
-
This feature can recommend actions and surface information based on context like messages and emails.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
The rooms Designed like authentic Goan houses, each with its own distinct colors and landscaping, the resort seems quiet even when full (conference groups love this place).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 May 2026
-
Bloomberg adds that Italian health care costs a few thousand dollars per year, and living in the south offers distinct tax benefits, such as a 7% flat annual tax for foreign retirees who move to smaller towns in less developed areas.—
Alex Ledsom,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
Adjective
-
After replanting, or if the roots look normal, keep the soil moist.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2026
-
But not the average, normal citizen workers.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
AlShehail noted several attributes of Saudi fashion that are setting it apart.—
FMG Studios,
Footwear News,
10 May 2026
-
That’s a valuable attribute in this climate, when public sentiment often influences internal discourse.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
Adjective
-
The rooms Called casitas, the standard rooms here are closer in size to suites in other hotels—they're 925 square feet—and each one comes with airy outdoor terraces or patios populated with comfy daybeds and lounge chairs.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
-
This matching set gives a sporty-chic vibe, thanks to contrast stripes along the sleeves, adding just enough detail to elevate it beyond your standard loungewear.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Characteristic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characteristic. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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