1
as in self
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
Relevance
2
3
as in morality
conduct that conforms to an accepted standard of right and wrong
we need more people of sound character in public office
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in reputation
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
5
as in characteristic
something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind
one of the distinguishing characters of mammals
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
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
7
as in person
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
8
as in eccentric
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
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
1
as in boring
lacking in distinctive features or qualities
characterless suburban houses that have nothing going for them but their newness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in weak
lacking strength of will or character
a characterless person who never has an opinion of his own
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 9 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
So Mary was always my touchstone for the character and for the story.
—Vogue, 9 Oct. 2025
As the third Gilmore girl — her character is Rory's (Alexis Bledel) grandmother and Lorelai's (Lauren Graham) mother — Emily liked the finer things in life and was very particular about, well, everything.
—Hedy Phillips, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for character
Noun
At the beginning, Matty definitely knows less than Olympia, and that’s a different place for characters to start in in the second season.
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 9 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
So Mary was always my touchstone for the character and for the story.
—Vogue, 9 Oct. 2025
As the third Gilmore girl — her character is Rory's (Alexis Bledel) grandmother and Lorelai's (Lauren Graham) mother — Emily liked the finer things in life and was very particular about, well, everything.
—Hedy Phillips, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for character
Recent Examples of Synonyms for character
Noun
-
This season, with more self-belief and ice time and carryover chemistry with Pastrnak and Elias Lindholm, Geekie makes the most of his first-line ride.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Then, in late September, Inman Grant asked 16 more companies, ranging from gaming platforms such as Roblox to messaging apps such as WhatsApp, to self-assess whether the ban should also apply to them.—
Belinda Luscombe,
Time,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In time, the apple’s proliferation on American soil and the ubiquity of apple pie on American menus would help turn the dessert into a patriotic symbol.—
Victoria Flexner,
The Atlantic,
9 Oct. 2025
-
For now, Figure 03 remains a striking symbol of progress and a reminder that the leap from lab to living room is not quite complete.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Released in 1936, this morality tale against marijuana was financed by a long-defunct church group called the Motion Picture Guild.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Spare us the lesson in morality on peace if your goal is escalation.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Martinez is perhaps still clinging to a reputation the Yankees passed down, while Boone clung to Martinez's comment for nearly a month.—
Jon Paul Hoornstra,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
These days, apple cider vinegar has a solid reputation as a natural, budget-friendly cleaning solution—and for good reason.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
So yes, this is a very unique characteristic of choux.—
Bon Appétit,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Brian Stablein, then in his second season as an Indianapolis receiver, saw similar characteristics.—
Doug Haller,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Despite appearances to the contrary—the swirling sentences, the feverish intellection—there is nothing hermetic about Krasznahorkai’s work, both old and new, which squarely faces contemporary European reality and its perils, including the tortured dynamics of settlement, movement, and identity.—
James Wood,
New Yorker,
10 Oct. 2025
-
These are margin gains, not an identity change.—
Jenny Catlin,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This level of caring and personal openness—owning mistakes is part of being present as a whole person—filters into the business culture.—
Adam Gale,
Fortune,
9 Oct. 2025
-
For me, that person was Ursula Burns.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
9 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
Cite this Entry
“Character.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/character. Accessed 11 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share