character 1 of 3

1
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

3
4
5
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
8

character

2 of 3

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

3 of 3

adjective

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
On the other hand, while Franklin’s abilities seemingly outstrip everyone else in the MCU, he hasn’t been established yet as an actual character beyond being a cute, towheaded preschooler. Adam B. Vary, Variety, 26 July 2025 But none topped Booker Prize-winner Hollinghurst, who turned out, in the same 15 minutes as the rest of us, a richly cinematic scene placing the fictional character of Alan Hollinghurst in a tricky social encounter fraught with manners, ego, and ambition. Dan Morrison, USA Today, 26 July 2025 It is based on characters created by Jeffrey Reddick. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 25 July 2025 Actor Tom Welling played Ultraman in live-action form on a 2010 episode of Smallville, which introduced the character as Clark Luthor of Earth-Two. EW.com, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for character
Recent Examples of Synonyms for character
Noun
  • After turning to booze, running out of money, and once again losing his now-late grandma's house, Happy is a shell of his former self.
    Megan McCluskey, Time, 25 July 2025
  • When Chandra first detected the X-ray emission from the tidal disruption event, this stream was just beginning to wrap back on itself, the self-intersection giving rise to shock-heating that produced X-rays.
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 25 July 2025
Noun
  • Specifically saying these white, thin, traditionally feminine bodies are not just aspirational but symbols of morality, tradition, purity.
    Mekishana Pierre, EW.com, 31 July 2025
  • The continent’s record-breaking visitor numbers are now straining local resources and sparking a backlash from residents as the familiar sight of suitcases rattling on cobblestones and selfie-snappers jostling for position has become a symbol of the strain.
    Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
Noun
  • This kid is going to have to discover what human morality is and that horror exists in many forms.
    James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 29 July 2025
  • Like the first half of Trauma Plot, and the majority of Sylvia Plath’s short life, the book takes place in New England, where the veneer of white middle-class morality can’t quite mask the ongoing structural violence ushered in by imperial colonialism half a millennia ago.
    Emily Van Duyne July 24, Literary Hub, 24 July 2025
Noun
  • Last year, Duncan opted not to seek reelection to an eighth term, following the 2023 diminishment of his reputation for conservative family values.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 July 2025
  • While Torquay might not have the culinary reputation of Barcelona or Cannes, France, there’s a burgeoning restaurant scene and an abundance of classic English staples like pubs, beer gardens, tea rooms, and farmers’ markets.
    Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 30 July 2025
Noun
  • Sometimes an offense takes on the characteristics of its most distinguishable member - only the Brewers have a lower team average exit speed than the Padres, and only a handful of clubs hit more line drives, as the club mimics the tendencies of Luis Arraez.
    Tony Blengino, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
  • Felix Brill, chief investment officer at VP Bank, agrees that the SGD has many characteristics of a modern safe haven, including macroeconomic stability, strong institutions, a large current account surplus, and low political risk.
    Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 21 July 2025
Noun
  • The identity of the suspect has also not been released.
    Kiki Intarasuwan July 14, CBS News, 14 July 2025
  • Youssef is a bridge of sorts between multiple modes of Muslim identity.
    Hanif Abdurraqib, New Yorker, 13 July 2025
Noun
  • Initial report: The intersection of Interstate 70 and North Post Road is closed as officials investigate a fatal crash that killed one person in east Indianapolis, Indianapolis police said.
    Matthew Cupelli, IndyStar, 21 July 2025
  • For every year before age 13 that a person acquired a smartphone, their mental health and well-being were likely to be lower, the study found.
    Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 21 July 2025
Noun
  • Ra’s decades-long adherence to this personal mythology, along with his air of serene bemusement and his extravagant robes and headdresses, led to his popular image as a colorful eccentric.
    Ekow Eshun July 11, Literary Hub, 11 July 2025
  • Other characters include outcasts, visionaries and eccentrics — all of whom live on the margins as unseen — a former priest, a girl trapped in working her family’s candy stand, a woman who learned preaching from her brother and is a caretaker for her dying housemate.
    Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 18 May 2025

Cite this Entry

“Character.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/character. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on character

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!