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
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Recent Examples of characteristics
Researchers evaluated and recorded the same 28 characteristics for each species based on preexisting data from universities and government agencies, Nunez-Mir said.
—
Madeline King, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Clean-up operations involve experts who calculate the risk of a criticality accident based on the characteristics of the material being moved, Rofer says.
—Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 23 Apr. 2026
This article also shows you how to calculate the numerology of your home address and highlights some key characteristics that each number reveals about your space.
—Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Apr. 2026
Both omega-3 and CoQ10 possess antioxidant characteristics.
—Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 22 Apr. 2026
Wildlife experts told local outlet WVCB that the split color can also come from genetic mosaicism, pigment irregularities during development or gynandromorphism, a rarity that occurs when a lobster has both male and female characteristics.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
The Benefits of Growing Heirloom Seeds From incredible flavor to unique characteristics, Nielsen says there’s a good reason why people keep coming back to a particular seed variety, year after year.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 22 Apr. 2026
Located at 516 Cherry Brook Road in Canton, the home stretches over 2,800 square feet and still has many of its original characteristics.
—Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026
The unusual characteristics of dark matter have prompted scientists to search beyond the standard model of particle physics for particles that could comprise it.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 10 Apr. 2026
Madeline King, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Clean-up operations involve experts who calculate the risk of a criticality accident based on the characteristics of the material being moved, Rofer says.
—Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 23 Apr. 2026
This article also shows you how to calculate the numerology of your home address and highlights some key characteristics that each number reveals about your space.
—Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Apr. 2026
Both omega-3 and CoQ10 possess antioxidant characteristics.
—Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 22 Apr. 2026
Wildlife experts told local outlet WVCB that the split color can also come from genetic mosaicism, pigment irregularities during development or gynandromorphism, a rarity that occurs when a lobster has both male and female characteristics.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
The Benefits of Growing Heirloom Seeds From incredible flavor to unique characteristics, Nielsen says there’s a good reason why people keep coming back to a particular seed variety, year after year.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 22 Apr. 2026
Located at 516 Cherry Brook Road in Canton, the home stretches over 2,800 square feet and still has many of its original characteristics.
—Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026
The unusual characteristics of dark matter have prompted scientists to search beyond the standard model of particle physics for particles that could comprise it.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characteristics
Noun
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The healthy qualities of whole foods — like high-fiber apples or asparagus — help promote fullness and are less likely to spike blood sugar.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
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Both those qualities apply to cult-classic cushion foundation Jungsaemmool, which is finally available stateside.—
Sarah Y. Wu,
Glamour,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The 6-3, 318-pound Hunter has good length (33 1/4-inch arms) but lacks explosive traits, as evidenced by his 21 1/2-inch vertical jump and 8-foot, four-inch broad jump.—
Tobias Bass,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Each has versatility and traits the Broncos like.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Find attributes that cannot be taught.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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His physical attributes caught the attention of the Ravens’ front office and scouts, but his relationship with Heap helped drive his quality of character home.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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If your car is equipped with front radar or driver‑assist features, dirt on the sensor or slight misalignment from a parking‑lot bump could also be the culprit.—
Hartford Courant,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Update to the latest version to see all Vogue content, as well as new features like our Runway Genius quiz, Group Chats, and posts from Vogue contributors.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Political discussions on social media are often dominated by competing attributions of more and more insidious motives to people on the other side.—
Mark Schroeder,
The Conversation,
20 Feb. 2026
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This post was corrected on 21 January 2021 to clarify attributions.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
12 Jan. 2021
Noun
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In a flurry of activity beginning on March 8, 2025, Purdue filed documents that show lines crossing out the eligibility criteria and victim compensation amounts, with no explanation or substitute language.—
Craig R. McCoy,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
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That major hedge is new, and seriously waters down the importance of these two existing constitutional criteria.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Characteristics.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characteristics. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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