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 Chicagoans first fell in love with the Italian comfort food in small late-night eateries that flourished thanks to the long hours, outgoing personalities and deft dough-throwing hands of their mom-and-pop owners. Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026 The platform found that couples are moving further away from one-size-fits-all ceremonies and traditional aesthetics in favor of celebrations that reflect personality, individual style and details unique to each couple. Lauren Fisher, Footwear News, 1 May 2026 By most metrics, McAfee and Smith are the two biggest stars at ESPN and its most pro-wrestling-style personalities. Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026 That includes teaming up with outdoor personality Robert Irwin and expanding in women's apparel — areas Boyle sees as key to reigniting domestic growth. Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 1 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for personality
Recent Examples of Synonyms for personality
Noun
  • Around that time, a celebrity biologist and adventurer named Robert Marc Lehmann showed up in a gray-camouflage wetsuit.
    Jessica Camille Aguirre, New Yorker, 2 May 2026
  • The Barnstable Brown Gala, held annually ahead of the Kentucky Derby, is known for drawing celebrities and high-profile guests while supporting charitable causes.
    ABC News, ABC News, 2 May 2026
Noun
  • Police said the victim, whose identity was not released, was on vacation with two family members from the Unterallgäu region of Germany.
    Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Davis allegedly tried to grab the 8-year-old girl, whose identity is yet to be publicly released, by the child's hair to pull her into a car, Fox 26 and Fresno Bee report, citing Fresno police.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • This flirty option sports a plunging V-neck framed by puff sleeves, plus an oversized self-tie bow that adjusts the waist.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
  • Physicists know that small units of all sorts can self-organize into large, complicated structures from simple interactions — a phenomenon known broadly as emergence.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 4 May 2026
Noun
  • The president has spent a decade calling his rivals communists and traitors, among other hyperbolic insults.
    Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
  • According to Politico, the conversation was nothing but a tirade of insults.
    Tom Jurkowsky, Baltimore Sun, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • But what exactly happens to these baby stars next isn't always clear (literally) because they are buried deep within clouds of dark, dusty gas that obscure them.
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Sudeikis stars and executive produces alongside Brendan Hunt, Joe Kelly, Jane Becker, Jamie Lee, and Bill Wrubel.
    Brian Welk, IndieWire, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • This trio of characters is new to the franchise, though the biggest shift — in addition to seeing Rimura and company in breezy beachwear — is the focus on series mainstay Gobta (Ryan Reynolds; Asuna Tomari).
    Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 1 May 2026
  • The series has attracted attention for, among other things, the size of Ilya’s ass, which, in MarcAurele’s adaptation, is its own character.
    Dan Stahl, New Yorker, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • Charles, who is well-known for his love of nature and the importance of sustainability, fed chickens in a coop together with the kids.
    Emma Caughlan, NBC news, 30 Apr. 2026
  • The actor and hairstylist was questioned extensively by Blumberg about her dynamic with Weinstein and is expected to face a grilling about its complicated nature when cross-examination begins.
    Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Played with blistering sarcasm by Emily Blunt, the high-strung Runway magazine assistant had many of the most crackling one-liners in the original 2006 film.
    Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
  • My reaction was pure confusion, sarcasm and not ill intended.
    Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Personality.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/personality. Accessed 5 May. 2026.

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