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
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
Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 30 Oct. 2025
The effective rate on Chinese imports is still around a minimum of 47% because tariffs are layered on top of each other depending on the physical characteristics of individual imports.
—Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 30 Oct. 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
Pacific Life offers several different life insurance products, each with unique characteristics that are important to understand before making a decision.
—Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 30 Oct. 2025
The effective rate on Chinese imports is still around a minimum of 47% because tariffs are layered on top of each other depending on the physical characteristics of individual imports.
—Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 30 Oct. 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
-
Incredibly, the filmmaker succeeds in telling a deeply human story without a single human in sight, affirming that humanity – despite its name – isn't only a human trait.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Actor and entrepreneur Ryan Reynolds said the trait enabled him to shield himself against future headwinds in his career.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
All are dressed in period garb — Clarkson in a gorgeous gown and her band, My Band Y’all, led by musical director and keyboardist Jason Halbert, in formal white dinner jackets typical of musical acts at the time.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Alternatives to typical iron supplements to consider include intravenous (IV) iron, slow-release oral iron tablets, and dietary iron.—
Emmanuella Ogbonna,
Health,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
The Maserati GranTurismo Folgore's exterior is distinct and aggressive.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Gold sought to make a similar point with Fuji – an album named for a distinct genre from Nigeria’s Yourba ethnic group that critics like Zikoko’s Tomide Marv have since claimed is largely absent from its tracklist.—
Mankaprr Conteh,
Rolling Stone,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Delays start to increase On Day 31 of the 2019 shutdown, 10% of TSA workers called in sick - triple the normal absence rate.—
Doyinsola Oladipo,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Even though there were rumors about layoffs the day before, everything had seemed relatively normal.—
Lea Chen,
CNBC,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
As part of the exercise, Straton took 10 key attributes of fashion companies and looked at what the biggest of the big had in common.—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Data shows Halloween candy prices are increasing faster than inflation, a squeeze experts attribute to conditions in the cocoa crop climate and increases in confectionary manufacturing costs.—
Melinda Yao,
NBC news,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The early tickets are available for a number of formats, including IMAX, Digital 3D and 4DX, in addition to standard screenings.—
Tim Chan,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Nov. 2025
-
That is $45,540 a year, meaning rent alone would take up roughly 54% of gross income—well above the standard 30% affordability threshold.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Characteristic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characteristic. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share