characters 1 of 2

plural of character
1
as in symbols
a written or printed mark that is meant to convey information to the reader the pictorial characters of the ancient Egyptians had long been a mystery

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Relevance
2
3
4
5
as in identities
the set of qualities that make a person different from other people she regards each of her children as having a distinctive character that should be valued for what it is

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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characters

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of character
as in characterizes
to point out the chief quality or qualities of an individual or group formerly charactered as "the dark ages," that period of history may not have been quite so benighted as once thought

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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 characters
Noun
One of the best parts to it are the recollections from his Little Italy friends and relatives, many of whom served as inspiration for his sometimes unsavory characters. Randy Myers, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025 Pop Mart characters can usually be found on Amazon and StockX, and sometimes Walmart. Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 16 Oct. 2025 Juan, his family, and supporters remain steadfast in their confidence in his innocence and his characters as a hardworking, law-abiding member of society. Michael Loria, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025 Details on their characters are being kept under wraps. Denise Petski, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025 One is the dream-world version between Gwen and The Grabber, while the other is a real-world version for the characters who can’t see The Grabber. Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2025 Includes spooky scenes, 10 trick-or-treat stations for ages 2-12, straw creatures, photo ops, the Fall Fun Zone, costumed characters, Carn-Evil carnival games, animal shows, free carousel rides and storytime. Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 9 Oct. 2025 Split the Sky is an excellent read for parents of teens, young adults, and older teens who appreciate reading books with nuanced characters, have complex arcs, and a passion for social justice themes and history. Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 9 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characters
Noun
  • On the flip side, its tunnel-vision focus on the Murdaughs means that the non-Murdaugh, non-murder victims left in their wake, like Mallory and her family or the clients Alex defrauds at work, are reduced to symbols.
    Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The protests are led by a youth movement which uses symbols — including a pirate flag from popular Japanese manga One Piece, a stand-in for confronting oppression — associated with demonstrations in other countries, including Morocco, Nepal, and Peru.
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • For Mimi Pond, the desire to do a book about the Mitford sisters – six larger-than-life British eccentrics (and one brother) who created a stir in both British and American culture – was obvious.
    Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 5 Sep. 2025
  • For decades, sovereign citizens largely flew under the radar in Australia as relatively harmless eccentrics with a special interest in conspiracy theories.
    Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Her reporting turns the accident into an albatross around their necks, tearing at their reputations and tugging at all the other skeletons in their closets.
    Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Put your names, your dollars, your reputations behind the stories that are being targeted.
    David Hatkoff, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Dæmons seem to be an outward manifestation of the complex nature of humans that encompasses, male, female and animalistic characteristics that hint towards the breaking of gender binaries and the possibilities of interspecies relations.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 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
Noun
  • Though usually treated as separate conflicts, the wars in Cuba and the Philippines should be seen as a continuum—one that begins with two similar Cuban and Filipino poet-martyrs who shape their nations’ identities and ends with the United States entering as a savior, only to become a scourge.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Dave and a rotating cast of smart, thought-provoking guests talk about their inspirations, failures, successes, fame, and identities.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Hough competed against fellow DWTS personalities Bruno Tonioli and Jenna Johnson-Chmerkovskiy in the premiere of Celebrity Wheel of Fortune last month.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025
  • But if the plot is about swapping fortunes, the watches in the movie are about swapping personalities.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In the days following the podcast appearance, the author shared a parody by British satirist Intel Lady that characterizes Watson as contradictory and fame-hungry.
    Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2025
  • But what characterizes this style?
    Irene Reyes, Glamour, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • As early as 2014, scientists had discovered signs of sea star wasting disease in at least twenty species across the Pacific coast.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 17 Oct. 2025
  • But there are signs that people are eating slightly fewer of these foods.
    Alice Callahan, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Characters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characters. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

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