Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

personality

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of personality

1 a person who is widely known and usually much talked about

  • a local television personality who is beloved by area residents
Synonyms of personality

cause célèbre (also cause celebre), celeb, celebrity, figure, icon (also ikon), light, luminary, megastar, name, notability, notable, notoriety, personage, somebody, standout, star, superstar, VIP
Words Related to personality

favorite, heartthrob, hero, idol

demigod, dignitary, eminence, immortal, monument, pillar, worthy

baron, big shot, bigwig, kahuna, magnate, mogul, nabob, panjandrum
Near Antonyms of personality

lightweight, mediocrity

has-been
Antonyms of personality

nobody, noncelebrity

2 the set of qualities that make a person different from other people

  • sheʼs got a great personality
Synonyms of personality

character, identity, individualism, individuality, self-identity, selfhood
Words Related to personality

distinctiveness, idiosyncrasy, oneness, peculiarity, separateness, singleness, singularity, uniqueness

disposition, humor, nature, temper, temperament

independence
Near Antonyms of personality

conformity, conventionality

3 the set of qualities that makes a person, a group of people, or a thing different from others

  • it has never been in the nationʼs personality to adhere to a rigid class system
Synonyms of personality

character, clay, colors, complexion, constitution, genius, nature, self, tone
Words Related to personality

distinctiveness, distinctness, individuality, singularity, uniqueness

attribute, characteristic, earmark, essentiality, feature, flavor, hallmark, mark, point, property, savor (also savour), stamp, trait

disposition, grain, sort, temper, temperament

composition, makeup

essence, essentiality, interior, interiority, soul, spirit

metal, stuff, substance

habit, way

4 an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt anotherʼs feelings

  • every debate that was supposedly about the issues quickly degenerated into a juvenile exchange of personalities
Synonyms of personality

affront, barb, brickbat, cut, dart, dig, dis (also diss) [slang], epithet, gird, indignity, insult, name, offense (or offence), outrage, poke, put-down, sarcasm, slap, slight, slur
Words Related to personality

catcall, gibe (or jibe), jeer, mock, quip, sneer, taunt

abuse, invective, vituperation

disapproval, opprobrium

disgrace, dishonor, shame

attack, criticism, knock, slam, swipe

torment, torture
Near Antonyms of personality

accolade, commendation, compliment

acclaim, applause, praise

adulation, flattery

Synonym Discussion of personality

disposition, temperament, temper, character, personality mean the dominant quality or qualities distinguishing a person or group. disposition implies customary moods and attitude toward the life around one.
    • a cheerful disposition
temperament implies a pattern of innate characteristics associated with one's specific physical and nervous organization.
    • an artistic temperament
temper implies the qualities acquired through experience that determine how a person or group meets difficulties or handles situations.
    • a resilient temper
character applies to the aggregate of moral qualities by which a person is judged apart from intelligence, competence, or special talents.
    • strength of character
personality applies to an aggregate of qualities that distinguish one as a person.
    • a somber personality

Learn More about personality

  1. See words that rhyme with personality Dictionary: Definition of personality Medical Dictionary: Definition of personality Spanish Central: Translation of personality Nglish: Translation of personality for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of personality for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about personality

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up personality? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games