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Synonym Chooser

How is the word personality distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of personality are character, disposition, temperament, and temper. While all these words mean "the dominant quality or qualities distinguishing a person or group," personality applies to an aggregate of qualities that distinguish one as a person.

a somber personality

When is it sensible to use character instead of personality?

Although the words character and personality have much in common, character applies to the aggregate of moral qualities by which a person is judged apart from intelligence, competence, or special talents.

strength of character

In what contexts can disposition take the place of personality?

In some situations, the words disposition and personality are roughly equivalent. However, disposition implies customary moods and attitude toward the life around one.

a cheerful disposition

When would temper be a good substitute for personality?

While in some cases nearly identical to personality, temper implies the qualities acquired through experience that determine how a person or group meets difficulties or handles situations.

a resilient temper

When is temperament a more appropriate choice than personality?

The words temperament and personality can be used in similar contexts, but temperament implies a pattern of innate characteristics associated with one's specific physical and nervous organization.

an artistic temperament

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 personality The point is to have a tangible trigger that puts you in the right mindset to be the personality that is most appropriate for the situation. Jason Barnard, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025 As impressive as that is, the other thing that has never wavered is Beverly’s sweet, upbeat personality. Brad Schmitt, Nashville Tennessean, 20 Oct. 2025 Empathy is founded on curiosity, active listening, observing, and learning to understand people who come from outside of our own education, personality type, and background. Big Think, 20 Oct. 2025 The two personalities clashed — Beaton wanted to photograph her on his own terms and Taylor had her own set of criteria. Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for personality
Recent Examples of Synonyms for personality
Noun
  • In addition to being functional, these waterproof boots are stylish, too(even celebrities like Kate Winslet appreciate a fall Chelsea boot).
    Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.
    Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office will release the man’s identity after it is confirmed and his next of kin is notified.
    Jason Green, Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Spike Lee’s School Daze dives deep into life at a historically Black college during Homecoming week, where fraternity and sorority members clash over politics, privilege, and identity.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The team discovered that oxygen can degrade riboflavin when exposed to light, which leads to self-discharge.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Seattle lends itself to delicious satire, with its touching self-belief of being unshakably progressive.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • As for whether the Galaxy Quest star would ever reprise her role as the iconic heroine Ripley?
    Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
  • So far this season, the 22-year-old star has caught 19 passes for 225 yards in four games.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Animated characters like Tony the Tiger, Count Chocula and Fred Flintstone blurred the line between ads and morning cartoons.
    Alice Callahan, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The novel can get busy—Taylor introduces each of Wyeth’s studio mates in the first chapter, then all but abandons half of them to squeeze in more significant characters—but there’s a warmth in the overcrowding.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The goal of that process, according to the state, would be to work with the community in exploring the nature of their cancer concern, provide education, and, if appropriate, provide epidemiological information.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Dæmons seem to be an outward manifestation of the complex nature of humans that encompasses, male, female and animalistic characteristics that hint towards the breaking of gender binaries and the possibilities of interspecies relations.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Carter was sitting in her chair, listening to a lesson, when Octavius Johnson, a classmate who had a crush on her, started to fire off insults.
    Jeff Pearlman, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Politico counted 251 instances of derogatory insults in the group chat, interspersed with logistical conversations about social media strategies and collecting votes.
    Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The comedian, actress and writer has a longtime following for her smart, absurdist comedy; her love of crafts and bright colors; and her empathetic and curious writing.
    Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The underdog duo, as well as the other two undefeated tribes of six, all dropped their buffs, randomly drew new colors and entered a new stage of the game.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Personality.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/personality. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on personality

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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