Synonyms of character

character 1 of 2

noun

ˈker-ik-tər 

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

• self
• personality
• nature
• tone
• colors
• constitution
• characteristic
• clay
• complexion
• genius
• trait
• disposition
• spirit
• composition
• feature
• temperament
• property
• essence
• attribute
• individuality
• uniqueness
• flavor
• sort
• soul
• temper
• grain
• habit
• stamp
• distinctiveness
• interior
• substance
• makeup
• distinctness
• singularity
• hallmark
• way
• mark
• metal
• point
• stuff
• essentiality
• interiority
• savor
• earmark

2

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

• symbol
• sign
• glyph
• letter
• icon
• cipher
• numeral
• hieroglyph
• rune
• pictogram
• pictograph
• ideogram

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

• morality
• integrity
• virtue
• goodness
• honesty
• morals
• ethics
• rightness
• righteousness
• rectitude
• uprightness
• honor
• decency
• virtuousness
• probity
• fitness
• scrupulousness
• incorruptibility
• appropriateness
• etiquette
• decorum
• scrupulosity
• correctness
• propriety
• irreproachability
• high-mindedness
• irreproachableness
• decorousness
• seemliness
• right-mindedness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• evil
• villainy
• badness
• sin
• immorality
• wickedness
• degradation
• iniquity
• evildoing
• indiscretion
• impropriety
• perversion
• sinfulness
• indecency
• depravity
• degeneracy
• indecorum
• dishonesty
• debauchery
• crookedness
• viciousness
• meanness
• unscrupulousness
• vileness
• corruption
• lowness
• pervertedness
• underhandedness

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

• reputation
• repute
• name
• fame
• report
• rep
• odor
• note
• mark
• credit
• image
• notoriety
• honor
• persona
• renown
• celebrity
• admiration
• reverence
• regard

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• shame
• dishonor
• disgrace
• reproach
• infamy
• discredit
• disrepute
• odium
• ignominy
• opprobrium
• obloquy

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

• characteristic
• trait
• feature
• quality
• attribute
• attribution
• property
• criterion
• hallmark
• peculiarity
• marker
• specific
• affection
• stamp
• mark
• fingerprint
• symbol
• touch
• particularity
• point
• note
• indication
• sign
• diagnostic
• differentia
• emblem
• virtue
• token
• charm
• badge
• merit
• grace
• individuality
• uniqueness
• eccentricity
• excellence
• singularity
• idiosyncrasy
• quirk
• oddity

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

• identity
• personality
• individuality
• selfhood
• individualism
• uniqueness
• distinctiveness
• self-identity
• temperament
• singularity
• idiosyncrasy
• peculiarity
• oneness
• nature
• separateness
• humor
• singleness
• disposition
• temper
• independence

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• conformity
• conventionality

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

• person
• life
• man
• guy
• creature
• individual
• human
• thing
• personality
• soul
• bird
• body
• sort
• being
• fish
• customer
• specimen
• duck
• party
• baby
• human being
• egg
• scout
• cookie
• personage
• face
• devil
• mortal
• bod
• son of man
• wight
• fellow
• head
• stiff
• slob
• brother
• self
• neighbor
• somebody
• celebrity
• humanoid
• hominid
• homo
• fellowman

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• animal
• brute
• beast
• critter
• beastie

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

• eccentric
• original
• piece of work
• nut
• maverick
• bohemian
• rarity
• crank
• oddball
• weirdo
• flake
• screwball
• fruitcake
• zany
• head case
• wacko
• crackpot
• quiz
• codger
• loony
• nutcase
• oddity
• nutter
• kook
• odd duck
• loon
• crack
• freak
• crackbrain
• nonconformist
• geezer
• coot
• curio
• quixote
• fantast
• fantastico

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sheep
• follower
• conformer
• conformist

characterless

2 of 2

adjective

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

• boring
• nondescript
• featureless
• neutral
• faceless
• dull
• beige
• noncommittal
• tiring
• indistinctive
• tame
• pedestrian
• drab
• dry
• uninteresting
• flat
• monotonous
• vanilla
• stodgy
• tiresome
• humdrum
• tedious
• dreary
• leaden
• wearisome
• stuffy
• weary
• wearying

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• showy
• dramatic
• striking
• flamboyant
• emphatic
• bold
• catchy
• arresting
• splashy
• eye-catching

2

as in weak

lacking strength of will or character

a characterless person who never has an opinion of his own

Synonyms & Similar Words

• weak
• weakened
• soft
• spineless
• corrupt
• meek
• wimpy
• timid
• frail
• milk-and-water
• wimpish
• nerveless
• effete
• invertebrate
• wishy-washy
• wet
• weakling
• weak-kneed
• flabby
• ineffectual
• limp-wristed
• namby-pamby
• flaccid
• ineffective
• impotent
• powerless
• emasculated
• unprincipled
• craven
• villainous
• unscrupulous
• cowardly
• forceless
• submissive
• pliable
• pusillanimous
• dastardly
• unnerved
• irresolute
• lamblike
• infirm
• sissy
• impuissant
• nebbishy
• lily-livered
• fainthearted
• poltroon
• vacillating

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• strong
• hard
• tough
• firm
• moral
• virtuous
• good
• right
• ethical
• righteous
• upright
• principled
• resolute
• backboned
• unrelenting
• determined
• courageous
• stalwart
• mettlesome
• stouthearted

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

Recent Examples of character

Noun

That character’s name alone — like the resurgence of Doofy — is an indication of the mirth the screenwriters take from skewering political correctness, cancel culture and social justice movements like Black Lives Matter and #MeTo. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026

Philosophers, theologians and educators have long considered patience an important character trait to cultivate. —Christian B. Miller, The Conversation, 4 June 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

Phrases Containing character

• character assassination