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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 Lakers wanted this to be a defining characteristic all season. Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025 Her face seemed to reshape itself, taking on the high cheekbones and frozen forehead characteristic of Fox News hosts. Constance Grady, Vox, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
At the same time, sleep disturbances and gastrointestinal disorders are characteristic among autistic kids, and if left untreated these (issues) can interfere with social activities. Matt Villano, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2025 What Is Chorea? Chorea is a characteristic type of involuntary movement in Huntington’s disease. Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for characteristic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characteristic
Noun
  • While the natural traits and intellect of Gates and Allen were crucial for Microsoft’s eventual success, so too was their willingness to learn from an early failure and apply themselves in a new venture.
    Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Bill Snellings Self-reliance is a cherished American trait, and men in particular embrace it.
    Ashley Milne-Tyte, NPR, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • From its facial expressions to its distinctive chirp, the creature is wreathed in a kind of nostalgia that Eighties kids will remember from those early days trolling the VHS rack at their local Blockbuster.
    Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2025
  • The Allure of Free Market Multifamily The recent transactions demonstrate strong investor demand, which is closely linked to the distinctive attributes of New York City's free market multifamily sector.
    Shimon Shkury, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The house is typical of the modest cottages built in the area, with a front gable and adjacent porch over the main entry.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 May 2025
  • Metal roofing: $17.48 (Home Depot) Metal roofing is easy to work with and is much more durable than typical roof shingles.
    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, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • The Department of Education appears to have removed a key new feature of the StudentAid.gov website that has allowed borrowers to track their student loan forgiveness progress.
    Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
  • The ability of car companies to charge users to activate some features is effectively the only reason the car’s systems need to communicate with cell towers.
    Dell Cameron, Wired News, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Seeing the color Olo needed specific stimulation to push the vision beyond its normal limits.
    Terry Collins, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Such intimidation may be normal in Putin's Russia, not in the civilized world!
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The risk tolerance of an organization will determine the weighting of these attributes or whether they'll simply be ignored.
    Morey Haber, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Now his mental attributes in terms of learning the offense are starting to catch up with his physical gifts.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Harvard University’s endowment, worth $53.2 billion at the end of its 2024 fiscal year, for example, consists of roughly 14,600 distinct funds.
    Todd L. Ely, The Conversation, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Epic Universe, the $7 billion attraction from Comcast Corp.’s Universal Destinations & Experiences division, offers five distinct lands and opens to the public on May 22.
    Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But in many states, the Real ID rollout has been optional, with some choosing a standard license, which might require fewer documents or a lower fee.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Nothing in the church canons requires it, but the standard practice is for archbishops to be elevated to the College of Cardinals.
    Randall Balmer, Time, 21 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Characteristic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characteristic. Accessed 6 May. 2025.

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