property

noun

ˈprä-pər-tē How to pronounce property (audio)
Definition of propertynext
1
as in plot
a small piece of land that is developed or available for development bought a secluded property in the mountains

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in characteristic
something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind the ability to be magnetized is a common property of metals

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word property different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of property are attribute, character, and quality. While all these words mean "an intelligible feature by which a thing may be identified," property implies a characteristic that belongs to a thing's essential nature and may be used to describe a type or species.

the property of not conducting heat

Where would attribute be a reasonable alternative to property?

While the synonyms attribute and property are close in meaning, attribute implies a quality ascribed to a thing or a being.

the attributes of a military hero

When is it sensible to use character instead of property?

The words character and property can be used in similar contexts, but character applies to a peculiar and distinctive quality of a thing or a class.

remarks of an unseemly character

When is quality a more appropriate choice than property?

Although the words quality and property have much in common, quality is a general term applicable to any trait or characteristic whether individual or generic.

material with a silky quality

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 property The league continues to investigate Jacobs' situation despite Jacobs' plea of no contest to both misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor criminal damage to property. — Ryan Morik Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026 The property defines contemporary cozy with rooms decorated with natural hues, custom wood, and leather furnishings. — Lindsay Cohn, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026 This type of polyphenol has powerful anti-diabetic properties. — Jillian Kubala, HEALTH, 23 Oct. 2026 The original seven-acre property and winery that is today known as Lagar de Fornelos was built by brothers who were local boat makers and started the winery as a weekend pastime for their families. — Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for property
Recent Examples of Synonyms for property
  1. plot
  2. characteristic
  3. tract
  4. quality
  5. parcel
  6. feature
  7. trait
  8. attribute
Noun
  • But wait, there’s more, because this election-stealing plot by immigrants certainly doesn’t stop at the state line.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The plot centers on a former police detective serving a life sentence who is diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.
    — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of plot
Noun
  • If researchers can reliably take advantage of these characteristics, biological computing could one day be the prime choice in applications where systems need to adapt to unfamiliar conditions in a field far from home.
    — Mike McRae October 19, New Atlas, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The challenge is to broaden a brand’s appeal without diluting the characteristics that distinguish it from competitors.
    — Yiling Pan, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of characteristic
Noun
  • Settlers bypassed local tribal bands and elevated a single Montaukett sachem to sign away vast tracts of land.
    — Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Toxic haze has covered parts of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore for weeks as Jakarta struggles to contain fires that have scorched large tracts of Borneo and Sumatra, with the smoke drifting across the region.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of tract
Noun
  • The middle tier of the market has been hollowed out, with prices inching higher even as brands downgrade quality.
    — Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The movie ends with a kind of shrug, which is one of its best qualities.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of quality
Noun
  • According to the district attorney's office, investigations starting in July 2024 showed that Lambert had mailed a parcel containing over a half kilogram of cocaine from Arizona to Grand Rapids, seen on surveillance video.
    — Karma Sabbah, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Other services reporting or experiencing disruption included property platform Rightmove, parcel delivery companies DPD and Royal Mail, telecommunications provider BT, and retailer Screwfix.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of parcel
Noun
  • Social media giant Meta was hit with a class action lawsuit in Australia on behalf of children and teenagers who allegedly suffered harm over the addictive design features and exposure to harmful content on its platforms Facebook and Instagram.
    — Chad de Guzman, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
  • While the iPhone Duo’s software certainly felt much smoother and more fluid than Android alternatives, many of its core features have been available on Samsung or Google phones for years.
    — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of feature
Noun
  • Warhound wants to improve canine health and longevity alongside traits such as speed, agility, and scent detection.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
  • With Carr, his average physical traits (by NFL QB standards) give pause for thought.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of trait
Noun
  • The issue ultimately comes down to credibility, an essential attribute for any press secretary.
    — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The report was published right before shootings in Bloomington, Eden Prairie and Edina that local law enforcement attribute to Somali gang violence.
    — Conor Wight, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of attribute

Phrases Containing property

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properties
property
property tax
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Cite this Entry

“Property.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/property. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on property

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about property

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