Definition of personalitynext
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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 Color and pattern pack on the personality—and French says that’s kind of the point. Kelsey Mulvey, Vogue, 6 Aug. 2026 Kay Hart, Ford Model e general manager, stated the new name reflects the vehicle's unique DNA, new platform, and manufacturing process, to give it personality. Greg Migliore, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Each of the 11 guest rooms features unique, textures and personalities. Dakota Kim, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026 If the uncharted territory in Wetzel’s home life mellows out his music, he and Simon both want The Night Champion to bring out Wetzel’s outsize personality and melodies one more time. Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for personality
Recent Examples of Synonyms for personality
Noun
  • Hilton, born Mario Lavandeira, gained fame after launching his highly popular gossip website in the early Aughts and garnered notoriety for his unapologetic and often controversial take on celebrities’ lives.
    Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Opposition leaders, rights activists and some Bollywood celebrities publicly backed the movement, helping amplify its message beyond the protest sites.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • This process helps redefine identity and find new avenues for skills and values, proving that professional identity isn't erased when a job title disappears.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • At the time, TMZ reported that the fight started when the other inmate, whose identity was not made public, insulted the rapper.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The cycles of illness and deflection at Taylor Farms illustrate a larger problem in the American food safety system, the experts said, which overwhelmingly relies on companies to self-police the cleanliness of their own produce.
    Yahya Abou-Ghazala, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
  • That's why self-hosting feels less like owning gadgets and more like reclaiming agency.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 5 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Several celebrities and their PR teams have denounced Perez for his viscous public insults, from Khloe Kardashian, Miley Cyrus, and Lady Gaga, a former friend of Perez.
    Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026
  • In recent years, Georgia’s State Election Board has been plagued by infighting, feuds, insults, partisan maneuvering and out-and-out shouting matches.
    AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Tim Graef's golden retriever, River, could have been a star in the new film, but didn't make it past the application process.
    Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Her work continued below the arc, scoring against 6-6 star Jonquel Jones and the much taller 6-11 Han Xu.
    Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The character at its center is Bret Easton Ellis — played here by Igby Rigney, who does look eerily like the author’s high-school yearbook photo — and the book and series are largely inspired by Ellis’s real-life senior year at the Buckley School.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The show has new characters and a fresh storyline for Los Angeles.
    Hunter Sowards, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Through the mid-1980s, Wolfram continued this work, discovering a number of fundamental connections between computation and nature, and inventing such concepts as computational irreducibility.
    Big Think, Big Think, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Creators who attended OpenAI’s first-ever influencer brand trip at a luxury resort in upstate New York posted glowing reviews of their private cabins, nature excursions and farm-to-table meals.
    Angela Yang, NBC news, 4 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Her business-strategy forecasting was met with sarcasm and disdain — her role as pop’s leading philosopher somewhat rejected by people online.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 23 July 2026
  • Widow’s Bay landed 19 nominations including for stars Matthew Rhys, Kate O’Flynn, in her incredible turn as eccentric assistant Patricia, Dale Dickey, for her chain-smoking sarcasm as Rosemary, and Stephen Root for his obstinate Wyck Crawford.
    Peter White, Deadline, 8 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Personality.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/personality. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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