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Definition of qualitynext
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quality

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adjective

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of quality are attribute, character, and property. While all these words mean "an intelligible feature by which a thing may be identified," quality is a general term applicable to any trait or characteristic whether individual or generic.

material with a silky quality

When is it sensible to use attribute instead of quality?

The synonyms attribute and quality are sometimes interchangeable, but attribute implies a quality ascribed to a thing or a being.

the attributes of a military hero

When is character a more appropriate choice than quality?

The words character and quality 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 could property be used to replace quality?

In some situations, the words property and quality are roughly equivalent. However, 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

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 quality
Noun
The agency added that its analysis covered potential effects on air quality, water resources, and local habitats. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 23 May 2026 Santa Monica Pier has made the Beach Bummers list for 15 of the last 21 years, despite efforts to improve the water quality. Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026
Adjective
Byfield, Anderson, Brandt Clarke, and Alex Laferriere are all quality NHL players … who would be great complementary core pieces to the 2-3 superstar level players needed to be a true Cup contender. Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026 This might be a functional, perhaps even quality baseball operation. Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for quality
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quality
Noun
  • On the other hand, LiPfe orbs don’t reproduce, and reproduction is one of the fundamental characteristics of life.
    Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 29 May 2026
  • Her analysis showed that at least a dozen of those fossils displayed characteristics hinting at a novel Tylosaurus species.
    Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 28 May 2026
Noun
  • During this transition, plants tend to experience water stress, as the rate of water leaving the leaves exceeds uptake by the roots.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 29 May 2026
  • Robert Reich of the University of California, Berkeley, wrote recently that average Americans pay a 14% tax rate, but billionaires pay less than 2%.
    Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 29 May 2026
Noun
  • Ava rejects Deborah’s wishes to end her own life with dignity, tries to accept them, rejects them again, and finally reaches reconciliation.
    Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 29 May 2026
  • This is about stability, dignity, and fairness.
    Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
Noun
  • The Korean nobility of bygone eras simply had better taste.
    Lori Waxman, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
  • In particular, popes wanted to select the church’s bishops rather than allowing nobility or a king to do so.
    Joëlle Rollo-Koster, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Seb Stafford-Bloor’s excellent Transfer Tiers series is moving on to central defenders today.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 28 May 2026
  • The right-shot defenseman has had an excellent tournament for Finland, who advanced to the semifinals with a win over Czechia.
    Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 28 May 2026
Noun
  • Patience and even guarantees, features that are often central to preventing the outbreak of conflict, had no place in such a scenario.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 May 2026
  • But even with these advanced features, an Uber executive is sounding the alarm on the rideshare company’s AI spending.
    Jake Angelo, Fortune, 26 May 2026
Noun
  • Tom Thorstad rose to the rank of staff sergeant and was working counter-intelligence in Lebanon, where the Marines were serving as peacemakers in the civil war between Muslim and Christian factions.
    Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 25 May 2026
  • From starting the season as a rank outsider within Emery’s plans, Buendia transformed into a player who would feature in 54 matches and score the second goal of Villa’s Europa League final victory in Istanbul with a wonderful, supposedly weak-footed, whipped finish from outside the box.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 25 May 2026
Noun
  • The pair founded the company together in 2015; the row is a family squabble within the new AI aristocracy.
    Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 19 May 2026
  • College football has always been an aristocracy, and most fans like it that way.
    Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Quality.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quality. Accessed 31 May. 2026.

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