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Definition of characternext
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as in symbol
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

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as in identity
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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character

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verb

as in to characterize
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

characterless

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adjective

Synonym Chooser

How is the word character different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of character are attribute, property, and quality. While all these words mean "an intelligible feature by which a thing may be identified," character applies to a peculiar and distinctive quality of a thing or a class.

remarks of an unseemly character

When might attribute be a better fit than character?

The words attribute and character can be used in similar contexts, but attribute implies a quality ascribed to a thing or a being.

the attributes of a military hero

When can property be used instead of character?

The synonyms property and character are sometimes interchangeable, but property implies a characteristic that belongs to a thing's essential nature and may be used to describe a type or species.

the property of not conducting heat

In what contexts can quality take the place of character?

The meanings of quality and character largely overlap; however, quality is a general term applicable to any trait or characteristic whether individual or generic.

material with a silky quality

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 character
Noun
Developers must also be held to a higher standard in their production of housing, specifically prioritizing thoughtful design that increases the number of units while still respecting community character. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026 While Garth was navigating becoming a parent, her character Kelly Taylor was navigating love triangles, family trauma and drug addiction. Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 7 May 2026
Adjective
Nowadays, old-school residents bemoan the neighborhood’s evolution from grungy to grandiose; what was once a warren of hedonism has become a breeding ground for characterless watering holes whose lack of personality is bested only by the exorbitance of their beer prices. Dan Stahl, New Yorker, 1 May 2026 Dąbrowski is pictured taking a catnap in a sleeping bag in some characterless photo studio. Miles Socha, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019 See All Example Sentences for character
Recent Examples of Synonyms for character
Noun
  • So who owns the IP on your digital self?
    Diane Brady, Fortune, 11 May 2026
  • Tim Darcy has always been the man of a thousand voices — a wildly imaginative singer playing different roles, capturing the disintegration of the self from different angles.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2026
Noun
  • Rodríguez has publicly sought to distance her interim government from some of the most notorious symbols of repression associated with the Maduro era.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 11 May 2026
  • As far as symbolism, a serpent is a transformative symbol, often cited for the way the snake sheds its skin.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 11 May 2026
Noun
  • Allegations of sovereignty violations, civilian casualties, and lack of due process have prompted debates about the legality and morality of drone warfare under international humanitarian law.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026
  • This dark psychological thriller about guilt, obsession, truth and morality arises out of just a single conversation between strangers who happen to sit next to one another.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 May 2026
Noun
  • But his reputation as a comic standard bearer precedes him, and not everyone was immediately on board with the prospect of his Willy Loman when the revival was announced.
    Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
  • The backstory Built by the late, great architect Kerry Hill for its first opening in 1993, The Datai Langkawi was one of Malaysia’s pioneering luxury jungle hideaways, and its reputation speaks volumes.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2026
Noun
  • That realization has led some investors to examine assets with different characteristics.
    Matt Emma, USA Today, 8 May 2026
  • While acknowledging that antisemites may have good characteristics—a loving husband, a generous and conscientious citizen—Sartre claimed that their hatred ultimately defines them.
    Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 8 May 2026
Noun
  • Police said the victim, whose identity was not released, was on vacation with two family members from the Unterallgäu region of Germany.
    Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Davis allegedly tried to grab the 8-year-old girl, whose identity is yet to be publicly released, by the child's hair to pull her into a car, Fox 26 and Fresno Bee report, citing Fresno police.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Stepheny Price is a Writer at Fox News with a focus on West Coast and Midwest news, missing persons, national and international crime stories, homicide cases, and border security.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 12 May 2026
  • In addition, le Polain said test results were also pending for one person from the ship with an inconclusive case.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 12 May 2026
Noun
  • But what the New Yorker writer left behind is some of the finest prose of the 20th century, focusing primarily on the eccentrics, scalawags, seamen, and other denizens of New York’s dank corners.
    Air Mail, Air Mail, 2 May 2026
  • The town’s overflowing with charming Midwest eccentrics, including a cocky mayor (Henry Winkler) and a welcoming barkeep (Lena Headey).
    Randy Myers, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Character.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/character. Accessed 12 May. 2026.

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