quiddity

noun

ˈkwi-də-tē How to pronounce quiddity (audio)
Definition of quidditynext
1
as in trick
an odd or peculiar habit for all of her quiddities, she is a very wise and generous lady

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in essence
the quality or qualities that make a thing what it is Rembrandt's genius was his unparalleled ability to render a person's quiddity in a single portrait

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 quiddity The task was to find the spiritual quiddity of God’s gifts in nature, piece by piece, and to assemble them into a divine whole. — Zachary Fine, The New Yorker, 28 June 2024 Teffi bids us to accept the mystery of this strange business of life in all its delightful quiddity. — Sara Wheeler, WSJ, 23 Apr. 2021 None of these quiddities has much to do with efficient military training. — Steele Brand, Time, 20 Sep. 2019 Our skulls are like space helmets; we are trapped in our heads, unable to convey the quiddity of our sensations. — Jason Pontin, WIRED, 16 Apr. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quiddity
  1. trick
  2. essence
  3. trait
  4. substance
  5. characteristic
  6. nature
  7. idiosyncrasy
  8. singularity
Noun
  • Australia responded six minutes later following a trick lineout move involving hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa throwing to scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan at the front, getting the return pass and starting the movement that finished with him scoring.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 July 2026
  • By stop-starting Gvardiol — a trick that lulls defenders into a false sense of security — and then faking to go one way and then the other, Messi found space where there seemed to be none and set up Julian Alvarez for Argentina’s third goal.
    — Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 10 July 2026
Definition of trick
Noun
  • Laura felt the rival’s ghost or essence spring away from her, as surely as if repelled.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026
  • There’s a certain je ne se quai to French girl dressing that’s hard to pin down, but Karlie Kloss’s latest look captures its essence perfectly.
    — Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 11 July 2026
Definition of essence
Noun
  • Still, the pieces of ceiling trim dedicated to the pillars of courage and trust remained missing, a nod perhaps to the traits most easily lost when disaster strikes – and most needed to rebuild.
    — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • The American Culture Quiz is a weekly test of our unique national traits, trends, history and people — including current events and the sights and sounds of the United States.
    — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of trait
Noun
  • Stevens also seemed to be an especially good character fit for Michigan, whose Democratic senators in the past four decades have tended to offer more substance than style.
    — Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 10 July 2026
  • For people coming out of shelters – especially those dealing with trauma, mental illness, or substance use disorder – that can make the difference between short-term housing and long-term stability.
    — Meg Dunn, CNN Money, 10 July 2026
Definition of substance
Noun
  • The company specializes in flight controls engineering, simulation, and aircraft systems that help engineers validate handling characteristics before flight testing begins.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 8 July 2026
  • Some characteristics can, however, be defined as on the whole necessary for any beach and any mood.
    — Alex Ledsom, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of characteristic
Noun
  • That was one of the main goals when designing the app, since an internet connection isn't always guaranteed when exploring nature in Michigan.
    — Jack Springgate, CBS News, 13 July 2026
  • The limited nature of the aquariums’ beluga habitats affects the whales both physically and mentally, with one of the main problems being boredom, said Marino, who is also a neuroscientist.
    — Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026
Definition of nature
Noun
  • Both Hanke and Koppl frame big player dynamics as a broader structural shift rather than any single politician’s idiosyncrasy.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 3 July 2026
  • Anta Claus is spilling over with character flaws, idiosyncrasies, jealousy and frustration.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 16 June 2026
Definition of idiosyncrasy
Noun
  • The post sparked much debate about whether a pause was possible given the financial incentives, whether RSI would finally produce some version of the AGI singularity or utopia, and whether RSI was even possible at all.
    — Arianna Huffington, Time, 29 June 2026
  • Expanding on the character designs, Hirota underlined the quirky looks and the singularity of his artistic direction, directly inspired by child’s play and faulty craft.
    — Kevin Giraud, Variety, 22 June 2026
Definition of singularity

Browse Nearby Words

quiddities
quiddity
quidnunc
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Cite this Entry

“Quiddity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quiddity. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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