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
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 14 May 2026
Your character in Hard Boiled is quiet but lethal, and your character in In the Mood for Love is quiet but very sensitive.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 May 2026
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
Noun
That Pawlikowski is telling a story of actual historical figures proves a fascinating challenge for a filmmaker who has previously invented characters to serve as historical reminders.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 14 May 2026
Your character in Hard Boiled is quiet but lethal, and your character in In the Mood for Love is quiet but very sensitive.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 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
-
Though soaps were not without their occasional levity, the earnest self-seriousness of their proceedings often prevented them from engaging in self-reflexive critique.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
More than a workflow, CD/CR is positioned as a new framework and potentially a new SOC discipline, built around the idea that detection and investigation should function as a single self-improving system.—
K.H. Koehler,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Matić, who is based in London, works across photography, sculpture, sound, poetry, and film to examine social dynamics of race, gender, and intimacy through the lens of national symbols (flags are a recurring motif).—
Tessa Solomon,
ARTnews.com,
18 May 2026
-
The project blends soccer, youth and culture into a lasting symbol of Inglewood pride.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
These morality tales, focusing on figures like Michael Milken and Ivan Boesky, make an implicit claim that individual avarice somehow explains the excesses of an entire era.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 May 2026
-
As this memoir opens, Iran’s morality police stalk the university where Nafisi works, censuring her female students.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
The son of a Scottish immigrant, McCluskie had a reputation as a political street fighter and his gruff style complemented Becerra’s more measured, cerebral approach.—
Dakota Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
-
Almost overnight, the reputation of that picture changed.—
Peter Bogdanovich,
IndieWire,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
This compression of the purchase funnel is now the defining characteristic of modern fashion commerce, separating market leaders from those struggling to keep pace.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
15 May 2026
-
One of the defining characteristics of Nicole Wise’s first season as the Mater Dei softball coach surfaced again Thursday.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Attacks on our bodies and identities are happening now.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
13 May 2026
-
The man, whose identity has not yet been confirmed, was carrying a Mexican voter registration card, according to Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
At least one person was killed by a gunman at the Islamic Center of San Diego today, the Council on American-Islamic Relations said in a statement.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
19 May 2026
-
Clark attended an elementary and a middle school in person at the district, but following the pandemic his family enrolled him online schooling full time, Canning said.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
19 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
Cite this Entry
“Character.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/character. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
