as in qualities
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
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 characteristics
As America’s capital of both wine production and pleasant weather, California has any number of towns that capture this experience, each with distinguishing characteristics that suit different types of travelers.
—
Justin Goldman, AFAR Media, 24 Oct. 2025
Sadly, the Volvo EX30 missed its moment to be great, but retains some appealing characteristics.
—Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Taking inspiration from the Greek enchantress Circe, the fragrance embodies her mythical characteristics of seduction and power, alongside rebellion and creation.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
Fujimoto's violent world is set in an alternate timeline 1990s where Devils born of humanity's collective fears roam, and operatives known as Devil Hunters often form contracts with them to acquire their characteristics and powers.
—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
Teflon’s nonstick, nonreactive characteristics hinge on its immensely strong carbon-fluorine bonds, but the ball mill can break these bonds apart by grinding them with the sodium metal.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 22 Oct. 2025
That’s even after accounting for income, mortgage status, credit score, home value and property characteristics.
—Tony Cookson, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
Jordan had a reputation as a blunt and often-critical teammate, characteristics that are rare among mainstream sports analysts.
—Scott Soshnick, Sportico.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Skye herself has almost no distinguishing characteristics besides her fragile state and propensity for terrible decisions, especially as the investigation around her boyfriend’s death kicks into gear.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
Justin Goldman, AFAR Media, 24 Oct. 2025
Sadly, the Volvo EX30 missed its moment to be great, but retains some appealing characteristics.
—Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Taking inspiration from the Greek enchantress Circe, the fragrance embodies her mythical characteristics of seduction and power, alongside rebellion and creation.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
Fujimoto's violent world is set in an alternate timeline 1990s where Devils born of humanity's collective fears roam, and operatives known as Devil Hunters often form contracts with them to acquire their characteristics and powers.
—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
Teflon’s nonstick, nonreactive characteristics hinge on its immensely strong carbon-fluorine bonds, but the ball mill can break these bonds apart by grinding them with the sodium metal.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 22 Oct. 2025
That’s even after accounting for income, mortgage status, credit score, home value and property characteristics.
—Tony Cookson, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
Jordan had a reputation as a blunt and often-critical teammate, characteristics that are rare among mainstream sports analysts.
—Scott Soshnick, Sportico.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Skye herself has almost no distinguishing characteristics besides her fragile state and propensity for terrible decisions, especially as the investigation around her boyfriend’s death kicks into gear.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characteristics
Noun
-
Benefits of Almonds for Heart Health While combining dark chocolate and almonds has a positive impact on heart health, each food provides distinct cardioprotective qualities that contribute to these benefits.—
Anna Giorgi,
Verywell Health,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Casper’s down alternative pillow has also ranked in our best pillows on Amazon for its temperature-regulating qualities and the plushness of its microfiber fill.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The American Culture Quiz is a weekly test of our unique national traits, trends, history and people, including current events and the sights and sounds of the United States.—
Kelly McGreal , Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The defendant exhibited sadistic traits, Salter said.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
College football players can sign NIL deals that, like endorsement deals for pro athletes, are supposed to reflect the commercial use of marketable attributes.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The Columbian exchange had some positive attributes, and negative ones, too.—
Lee Habeeb,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Our expert take The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a premium credit card with a myriad of benefits and a lower annual fee than other high-end cards with similar features.—
Meghan Hunter,
CNBC,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Leaders go for the big-name software with bold promises, only to face long implementations, steep learning curves, and features that don’t match how teams actually work.—
Dennis Woodside,
Fortune,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This post was corrected on 21 January 2021 to clarify attributions.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
12 Jan. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Characteristics.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characteristics. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share