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
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Recent Examples of characteristic
Kevin Frazier, Twin Cities, 15 Oct. 2025
These zones are determined based on an area’s physical characteristics, like slope, vegetation, winds and weather.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 14 Oct. 2025
Graham G. Dodds, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2025
In her introduction to the new volume, Schulman writes with characteristic mordancy about how the lesbian world has changed since Hothead was running riot.
—Jo Livingstone, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for characteristic
Noun
Kids increasingly have access to AI tools that mirror key human characteristics.
—Kevin Frazier, Twin Cities, 15 Oct. 2025
These zones are determined based on an area’s physical characteristics, like slope, vegetation, winds and weather.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
If the Supreme Court officially makes the chief executive a unitary executive, the advancement of the public good may depend on little more than the whims of the president, a state of affairs normally more characteristic of dictatorship than democracy.
—Graham G. Dodds, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2025
In her introduction to the new volume, Schulman writes with characteristic mordancy about how the lesbian world has changed since Hothead was running riot.
—Jo Livingstone, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for characteristic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characteristic
Noun
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DNA tests can also provide clues about your dog’s temperament, helping explain some of their individual behaviors and traits.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
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The protagonist bears the name of Dostoyevsky’s son Alyosha and many of Solovyov’s traits.—
Karl Ove Knausgaard,
New Yorker,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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High operating temperatures and distinctive characteristics set LF-MSRs apart from conventional solid-fuel reactors.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Oct. 2025
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Across mediums and genres, our studio has fused art, craft and technology in service of bold, distinctive and enduring stories.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Voronkov skated by the Columbus bench for the typical goal celebration anyway.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
17 Oct. 2025
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What would be a typical work outfit for you?—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
New episodes drop every Wednesday and feature interviews with artists and personalities like Lainey Wilson, Hardy, Charley Crockett, Gavin Adcock, Amanda Shires, Margo Price, Dusty Slay, Lukas Nelson, Ashley Monroe, Old Crow Medicine Show’s Ketch Secor, and Clever.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
15 Oct. 2025
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The doc feature records a news report on Taj Erlander, Swedish prime minister during much of Wallenberg’s imprisonment, admitting as much, conceding that his government had failed one of its greatest citizens by not pressing hard for his release.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The Old Farmer's Almanac predicts near-to-above normal snowfall on the Ohio Valley's eastern side, which includes Pittsburgh and Charleston, South Carolina, and a below-normal amount on the western side, near the southern tip of Illinois.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
21 Oct. 2025
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Those in the control group were simply asked to maintain their normal daily activities throughout the study and were not assigned any strength programming.—
Peter Mason,
Outside,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Her personality evolves on her 13th birthday, heightening her witchy attributes.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
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Forgery is also about persuasion, and certain forgeries have specific attributes.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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What is distinct about NOTUS is its structure.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
20 Oct. 2025
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Arranging furniture to create distinct zones is key.—
Catherine Hong,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In addition to her more standard posts, she's also opened up about her grieving process, sharing updates on her therapy and coping journeys.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
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Buck Mason’s Loomstate selvedge cowboy cut jeans have a higher rise than the standard fit, giving you a more Western style.—
Christopher Murray
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Characteristic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characteristic. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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