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
Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2025
With the resort now joining the Ikon Pass, what characteristics make Le Massif de Charlevoix stand out most?
—Outside, 4 Nov. 2025
Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025
Their flat sole, oval toe, and characteristic side stripes have won over seemingly everyone.
—Renata Joffre, Glamour, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for characteristic
Noun
Two years ago, volunteers with the cold-case unit worked with Othram Labs and Parabon Labs to perform advanced DNA techniques to reveal human characteristics and potential family members.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2025
With the resort now joining the Ikon Pass, what characteristics make Le Massif de Charlevoix stand out most?
—Outside, 4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
The closure is made with a zipper on the front, a characteristic element of many of his creations.
—Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025
Their flat sole, oval toe, and characteristic side stripes have won over seemingly everyone.
—Renata Joffre, Glamour, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for characteristic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characteristic
Noun
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How Design and Color Shape Perception While studies from behavioral psychologists have linked eyewear styles to traits such as intelligence and trustworthiness, certain studies on the shape of frames and the colors that come with them have been linked to certain feelings people have about them.—
Daniel Fusch,
Ascend Agency,
11 Nov. 2025
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The only time he’s truly dazzled, and left fans bewildered, has been in game-winning scenarios, his ineffable trait.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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His legacy is alive and well in the nightclubs of Recife, the capital city, where couples dance to forró’s distinctive ringing of triangles and humming zabumba drum until the early hours.—
Carolina Abbott Galvão,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
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With 18 patterns in dinner, dessert, and mini sizes, these plates make your holiday table distinctive, sans the post-feast cleanup marathon.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The Midea Flexify Air Fryer isn’t your typical air fryer.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Nearby Leyte and northern parts of Mindanao, both populous islands in the center of the country, saw between 150 and 250 mm (6 to 10 inches) of rain in only 24 hours — well above the typical monthly rainfall for November.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Tesla has implemented autopilot and self-driving features on its vehicles that include traffic-aware cruise control, semi-autonomous navigation, response to traffic lights and the ability to summon the car from a parking space.—
Rob Nikolewski,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Nov. 2025
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Best known for her acting roles in Friends, Cougar Town and the Scream franchise, behind the camera, Cox has directed across various genres and mediums, from music videos, and short form projects to television and feature films.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Formed by rolling up sheets of atoms, these hollow tubes exhibit unique behaviors distinct from bulk materials due to their nanoscale dimensions.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Her bubbly, non-threatening stage persona, paired with her cutting jokes and roasts, feels distinct in her body of work.—
Rima Parikh,
Vulture,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Shawn Dahl, a space weather forecaster at the Space Weather Prediction Center, notes that an additional, even stronger CME is expected midday Wednesday — along with the chance to see the northern lights farther south than normal.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
12 Nov. 2025
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Members will be able to shop inside the warehouse during normal business hours.—
Alex Perry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
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But critics argue some of those same attributes pose existential problems, with Shamblin’s suicide — allegedly with the encouragement of a piece of technology — as one of the more recent examples.—
Adam Carlson,
PEOPLE,
11 Nov. 2025
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One of the species’ greatest attributes is its ability to detect odors underwater, the story said.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Long-distance precision rises The Sentante platform uses standard guidewires and catheters linked to a sensory system that captures the surgeon’s hand movements.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Nov. 2025
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The deal would allow merchants to decide whether to accept credit cards in three distinct categories — commercial, premium consumer and standard consumer.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Characteristic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characteristic. Accessed 29 Nov. 2025.
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