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

Some astrologers believe that your rising sign characteristics best inform others’ first impressions of you, more so than your sun sign. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 14 July 2026 Hair transplant outcomes depend on patient hair characteristics, the degree of hair loss, graft planning, technique, surgeon experience and healing. — Ascend Agency, Mercury News, 13 July 2026

Adjective

But March’s westside trapped is a stunning left turn even for an artist whose defining characteristic to date is a penchant for change. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 8 July 2026 This later onset is a characteristic LADA shares with type 2 diabetes. — Adam Cohen, Oklahoman, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for characteristic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for characteristic

Noun

Before the pandemic, researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine typically saw adults seek ADHD evaluations after recognizing the same traits that led to their child’s diagnosis.

— Rachel Hale, USA Today, 19 July 2026
Performance and off-road capability are not the little SUV’s best traits.

— James Raia, Mercury News, 19 July 2026

Definition of trait

Adjective

In simple terms, each quantum gate leaves behind its own distinctive statistical fingerprint.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 18 July 2026
Once a working water tower, the Malibu Water Tower House has become one of the beach city’s most distinctive homes.

— Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 18 July 2026

Definition of distinctive

Adjective

That 1982 campaign was typical of the misfortune that plagued Keegan’s international career.

— James Pearce, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Cases of cyclosporiasis are known to rise during spring and summer months in the US, with a typical season running from the start of May through the end of August, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

— Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

Definition of typical

Noun

Many of them feature amenities like a basketball court, weight rooms and a pool, while others may have unique features like boxing gyms or an ice rink.

— Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026
Apple might delay the full rollout of these desktop AI utilities beyond the initial Q4 2026 macOS 27 release, preferring a staggered approach to unify features across platforms, mirroring iOS.

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of feature

Adjective

Instead of painting a broad picture that included all leading forms of content distribution — movie theaters, broadcast and cable television as well as streaming platforms — the states zeroed in on three distinct slices.

— Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
Data, on the other hand, shows a distinct generational divide.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 15 July 2026

Definition of distinct

Adjective

Maybe redemption is too strong a word, but with all of this attention on Luke, Joe’s normal-bordering-on-wholesome fling with Kayley is a breath of fresh air.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 July 2026
That could eventually help mobile carriers extend voice, text and data coverage beyond normal cell towers.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026

Definition of normal

Noun

Output aside, Tzolis has the key ‘macro’ attributes that have been crucial to Mikel Arteta’s side developing into England’s champions.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 16 July 2026
Although the origins of the brooch itself are still unknown, the meaning behind the moonstone could indicate reflection, celebration or various attributes Queen Camilla wanted to emphasize at Wednesday’s event.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 15 July 2026

Definition of attribute

Adjective

Also carried over from the GT-2000 14 is PureGel heel cushioning, which is touted as 65 percent softer than Asics’ standard Gel technology.

— Riley Jones, Footwear News, 15 July 2026
Touchscreen displays are standard for smartphones and tablets, but many computer manufacturers have started incorporating them into their laptop designs.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 15 July 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 23 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of characteristic

noun

adjective

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