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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in eccentrics
a person of odd or whimsical habits
the junk dealer is certainly a character, but he's as honest as they come
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in reputations
overall quality as seen or judged by people in general
the general character of the business appears to be good
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in characteristics
something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind
one of the distinguishing characters of mammals
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
6
as in personalities
the set of qualities that makes a person, a group of people, or a thing different from others
the basic character of the work requires that an employee be able to work quietly and independently
Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in people
a member of the human race
you wouldn't believe what kind of characters hang around the bus station
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of characters
Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
In observing the characters as much, in effect, from within as from without—and in intertwining their individual perspectives with the lines of force that surround them—Ouédraogo builds the movie in two directions at once, internal and external, deeply personal yet broad in range.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026
With The Handmaid’s Tale having ended, The Testaments picks up the franchise with a 15-year time jump, a focus on younger characters, and the return of Ann Dowd as Aunt Lydia — giving the sequel both continuity with the original and a fresh narrative canvas.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2026
That class divide between characters raised in the same oppressive system gives the story built-in tension.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2026
Season 4 will bring back other Season 3 characters besides Peter.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2026
Ogilvy and Joy are two characters who appear to not want to be there.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
In the background of the image, which appears to have been taken directly from the game, iconic characters like Pikachu and Magikarp can be seen.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 6 Mar. 2026
In what could be interpreted as a salting-the-earth approach, Scream 7 does not mention the characters of Sam (Barrera) and Tara (Ortega) by name at all.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Feb. 2026
Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025
KPop Demon Hunters characters Derpy Tiger and Sussie were also featured.
—Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 28 Nov. 2025
Netflix characters Derpy Tiger and Sussie from KPop Demon Hunters will also join the lineup.
—Daniel Orton, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
Noun
For The Times) Tell me about the decision to say goodbye to this show and these characters.
—Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
In observing the characters as much, in effect, from within as from without—and in intertwining their individual perspectives with the lines of force that surround them—Ouédraogo builds the movie in two directions at once, internal and external, deeply personal yet broad in range.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026
With The Handmaid’s Tale having ended, The Testaments picks up the franchise with a 15-year time jump, a focus on younger characters, and the return of Ann Dowd as Aunt Lydia — giving the sequel both continuity with the original and a fresh narrative canvas.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2026
That class divide between characters raised in the same oppressive system gives the story built-in tension.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2026
Season 4 will bring back other Season 3 characters besides Peter.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2026
Ogilvy and Joy are two characters who appear to not want to be there.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
In the background of the image, which appears to have been taken directly from the game, iconic characters like Pikachu and Magikarp can be seen.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 6 Mar. 2026
In what could be interpreted as a salting-the-earth approach, Scream 7 does not mention the characters of Sam (Barrera) and Tara (Ortega) by name at all.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
What would Six Flags look like without its most valuable properties like Looney Tunes and, especially, its DC Comics characters Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman?
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025
KPop Demon Hunters characters Derpy Tiger and Sussie were also featured.
—Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 28 Nov. 2025
Netflix characters Derpy Tiger and Sussie from KPop Demon Hunters will also join the lineup.
—Daniel Orton, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characters
Noun
-
Strange rituals conducted by children unfold on the beach; dance parties at the big club devolve into fever dream bacchanals; cryptic, threatening symbols appear near the rental house.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The group was told not to wear visible Jewish symbols.—
Emma Hurt,
AJC.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
On her trail are a Báthory relative who is vegetarian (Thomas Schubert), his psychotherapist (Lars Eidinger), two vampirologists, a police inspector and a gallery of eccentrics.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Catherine O’Hara portrayed ridiculous eccentrics with equal parts hilarity and humanity.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Trying to gather gossip under her own byline didn't work as well, and the new mom was also started to have ethical qualms about her work of ruining the reputations of women and men in the 'ton.—
Sarah Moore,
Freep.com,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The fallout includes damaged reputations, irate customers and lost confidence and early final resting places at junk yards.—
Ed Sokalski,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The motion to disqualify Robinson, at this point an allegation, touches upon one of the defining characteristics of the Supreme Court — that discussions among judges when deliberating over decisions are confidential.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Every building has distinguishing characteristics.—
Allen Buchanan,
Oc Register,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But some experts say Iranians with government ties don’t need to risk border crossings and have access to fake identities.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The identities of the two people have not been released, and the cause of the crash remains under investigation, officials said.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But while their games have some similarities, their personalities on the court are polar opposites.—
Colby Gordon,
Austin American Statesman,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The coaches have different styles, philosophies and personalities that fit their respective programs.—
Austin Meek,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Although the government characterizes him as a drug dealer with terrorist ties, he was not charged with any such activities.—
Nina Totenberg,
NPR,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Record theater-signing years in both Japan and Australia, new agreements in Germany – long a dormant territory – and multiple deals in France all contributed to what Dolci characterizes as a much more diverse and resilient growth engine.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
All the studio’s big hits for years now have been sequels like Inside Out 2, Toy Story 4, and Incredibles 2 , while originals like Elio struggle.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Where This Fits in Pixar’s Slate of Sequels The sequel joins a pipeline that mixes franchise films with new originals.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Characters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characters. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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