CHARACTERISTIC Synonyms: 149 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'characteristic' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of characteristic are distinctive , individual , and peculiar . While all these words mean "indicating a special quality or identity," characteristic applies to something that distinguishes or identifies a person or thing or class. // responded with her characteristic wit

Q: When could 'distinctive' be used to replace 'characteristic'?

While in some cases nearly identical to characteristic , distinctive indicates qualities distinguishing and uncommon and often superior or praiseworthy. // a distinctive aura of grace and elegance

Q: When can 'individual' be used instead of 'characteristic'?

Although the words individual and characteristic have much in common, individual stresses qualities that distinguish one from all other members of the same kind or class. // a highly individual writing style

Q: When might 'peculiar' be a better fit than 'characteristic'?

The meanings of peculiar and characteristic largely overlap; however, peculiar applies to qualities possessed only by a particular individual or class or kind and stresses rarity or uniqueness. // an eccentricity that is peculiar to the British

characteristic 1 of 2

noun

ˌker-ik-tə-ˈri-stik

Definition of characteristic

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

characteristic

2 of 2

adjective

as in distinctive

serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group the characteristic taste of licorice

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective characteristic contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of characteristic are distinctive, individual, and peculiar. While all these words mean "indicating a special quality or identity," characteristic applies to something that distinguishes or identifies a person or thing or class.

responded with her characteristic wit

When could distinctive be used to replace characteristic?

While in some cases nearly identical to characteristic, distinctive indicates qualities distinguishing and uncommon and often superior or praiseworthy.

a distinctive aura of grace and elegance

When can individual be used instead of characteristic?

Although the words individual and characteristic have much in common, individual stresses qualities that distinguish one from all other members of the same kind or class.

a highly individual writing style

When might peculiar be a better fit than characteristic?

The meanings of peculiar and characteristic largely overlap; however, peculiar applies to qualities possessed only by a particular individual or class or kind and stresses rarity or uniqueness.

an eccentricity that is peculiar to the British

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 characteristic

Noun

The platform helps accelerate material development by forecasting fiber characteristics such as dyeability, softness, strength and texture prior to production. — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 15 Sep. 2026 Nothing about Chicago’s economy, or any social or other characteristics of our population, accounts for those differences. — John Schmidt, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026

Adjective

Our formula is based on the universal pleasure of solving a mystery, immersing oneself in an adventure, identifying with inspiring characters, and sharing that sense of liberation so characteristic of adolescence. — Kevin Giraud, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026 Athens is very much about its neighborhoods, which is characteristic of the city and its people. — Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for characteristic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for characteristic

Noun

Willis already has demonstrated the necessary leadership traits to be a franchise quarterback, something that often requires one to consistently fall on the sword — even if the very failure did not remotely involve you.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2026
However, because individual plants may not display every characteristic, identify it by several features rather than height or any single trait.

— SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of trait

Adjective

Fossum notes that veterinarians sometimes use odor as a diagnostic clue because certain skin conditions produce distinctive smells.

— Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 19 Sep. 2026
The cult fashion house has a devoted following among Gen Z and fans of alternative fashion and pop culture, including anime enthusiasts familiar with Westwood’s distinctive Orb logo.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of distinctive

Adjective

Figures such as Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul el Sayed have given Republicans an opportunity to cast Democrats as socially out of touch and misaligned with the typical voter’s values.

— Carter Schroppe, The Washington Examiner, 21 Sep. 2026
These costs have grown 72% since 2015 and now account for 10 to 11% of a typical monthly bill.

— Joe McGee, Hartford Courant, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of typical

Noun

Duarte’s writing features detailed prose and a moving storyline, encompassing grief, healing, and the losses borne by a Latinx family in the name of American patriotism.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
Another endearing dining feature at the property is its honesty pantry containing drinks and snacks to go and a coffee station for early risers—guests can feel free to pad about any time of day or night.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of feature

Adjective

The Pigeon Sisters — Desi Amato as Gwendolyn and Penny Amara as Cecily — are played as distinct individuals rather than as near-twins as often happens.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026
Sometimes those differences, while distinct, still touch the same product in some way.

— Michael Khouw, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of distinct

Adjective

Difficult or disruptive events can create opportunities to enact changes or policies that would be hard to implement during normal times.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
According to the investigation, the shooting began as a road-rage dispute between the garbage truck driver, who was performing his normal route, and occupants of a white box truck that was blocking the roadway, the release stated.

— Keily Alfonzo, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of normal

Noun

Can a machine effortlessly extract your product’s key attributes, exact pricing, stock levels and shipping policies in less than a second?

— Narendra Lakshmana Gowda, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026
Several young goalkeepers had been bought by Premier League clubs the previous summer, leaving Newcastle feeling there was a paucity of options, though Hornicek’s all-round attributes caught the attention of Ross Wilson, their sporting director.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of attribute

Adjective

The hotel’s commitment to showing off local, small-batch liquors means that all standard cocktails, as well as most of the signature drinks offered at its three bars, feature in-state whiskeys, vodkas, gins, and bourbons as a base.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Sep. 2026
This massive $700 price cut gives competitive players, streamers, and multimedia creators a chance to bring home high-frame-rate gameplay and multithreaded rendering power without the strain of standard retail prices.

— Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of standard

Browse Nearby Words

charactering

characteristic

characteristics

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Characteristic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characteristic. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of characteristic

noun

adjective

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