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characteristic

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adjective

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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 team also proposes alternative ways of thinking about the dog-human bond, that blend together the characteristics of different human relationships. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 22 May 2025 Fortunately, Gaia, the sadly now decommissioned European Space Agency astronomical observatory, was designed to obtain extremely accurate measurements of the positions, distances, colors and other characteristics of well more than a billion stars—including their velocity. Phil Plait, Scientific American, 22 May 2025
Adjective
Those individual developments are characteristic of a group that appreciates feedback. Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025 Every political trend and tendency has characteristic faults. Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 25 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for characteristic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characteristic
Noun
  • Powered by Adelaide, Forbes AI Psychological safety, defined by McKinsey as the absence of interpersonal fear, is often cited as a defining trait of high-performing, innovative teams.
    Cynthia Pong, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
  • Just like my friends, my family and Los Angeles, Yassir benefited from this trait of mine.
    Hannah Benson, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • Another series of sweeps beginning around 8,000 years ago gave Eurasians their distinctive pale complexion.
    Kermit Pattison, Scientific American, 20 May 2025
  • Côme is not alone among Réunion’s producers in striving to find—and sell—vanilla’s distinctive if as yet unrecognized qualities.
    Jay Cheshes, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • Social Security payments are set to go out May 14 – a few days later than is typical.
    Mike Snider, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • Dawson's Creek was also known for covering heavy issues like mental health, death and homophobia among typical teenage fare like prom dates, new friends and first love.
    Benjamin VanHoose, People.com, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • The Jubilee first set sail in 2023, and includes features like IMAX theaters, a rollercoaster, and rope courses, perfect to keep solo travelers and families busy.
    Martie Bowser, Essence, 22 May 2025
  • Pinho was previously in Cannes with debut feature film The Nothing Factory, which premiered in Cannes Directors’ Fortnight in 2017, receiving the Fipresci Prize.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • To her credit, Sepideh is aware enough to own the surreal gulf between what to her is a normal life and what has become Fatma’s normal life.
    Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 17 May 2025
  • Republished on May 17 with additional advice and resources on defending against these dangerous messages, where normal detection is impossible.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • The 22-year-old striker is experiencing a difficult second season at the club, yet has the raw attributes to be a good No 9.
    Carl Anka, New York Times, 16 May 2025
  • This sort of climate analysis—based on slow changes in animal teeth, as well as their mass and other attributes at a single site—has never been published in the scientific literature.
    Michael Ray Taylor, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • One of the most effective ways to do this is by specializing in client segments with distinct financial needs, values, and life experiences.
    Jason Katz, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
  • Its distinct big band sound and rhythms attracted both young and old on Friday night including Haitian konpa fans pushing walkers.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • Rivian's current least powerful battery pack provides 270 miles of driving range, but the standard R2 could have less range as a smaller model.
    Charles Singh, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • The bill also includes a temporary $2,000 boost to the standard deduction, bringing it to $32,000 for joint filers.
    Kevin Freking, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Characteristic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characteristic. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

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