as in characteristics
something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind
honesty is one of her defining traits
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 traits
Most warm weather breeds share unique physical traits that keep them cool in high temperatures.
—
Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Barring Bowen, only Tomas Soucek has leadership traits.
—Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 28 May 2026
By assigning human traits to AI agents or integrating them into org charts, managers hoped to increase employee acceptance of these new technologies, Kropp said.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 28 May 2026
The Halo Effect And The Psychology Of Credibility Research has long shown that people unconsciously assign positive traits to attractive individuals.
—Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
One of Bond’s defining traits has long been his willingness (and downright desire) to break the rules.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2026
The quintessential warrior prince adopts feminine dress and traits and teaches dancing.
—Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 May 2026
According to the club, these students should also be potential leaders who have sustained our democratic way of life and exhibited outstanding citizenship traits.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026
What are the defining traits of a fresh scent?
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 27 May 2026
Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Barring Bowen, only Tomas Soucek has leadership traits.
—Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 28 May 2026
By assigning human traits to AI agents or integrating them into org charts, managers hoped to increase employee acceptance of these new technologies, Kropp said.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 28 May 2026
The Halo Effect And The Psychology Of Credibility Research has long shown that people unconsciously assign positive traits to attractive individuals.
—Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
One of Bond’s defining traits has long been his willingness (and downright desire) to break the rules.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2026
The quintessential warrior prince adopts feminine dress and traits and teaches dancing.
—Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 May 2026
According to the club, these students should also be potential leaders who have sustained our democratic way of life and exhibited outstanding citizenship traits.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026
What are the defining traits of a fresh scent?
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 27 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for traits
Noun
-
That creative industry may ultimately become one of LA28's defining characteristics.—
Tim Genske,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
-
Garbett adds other characteristics too.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
Noun
-
In its 2023 decision, the Supreme Court said nothing stops schools from considering how applicants’ race speaks to broader qualities.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
-
Founded by Vania Leles, Vanleles merges cultural significance and its African roots with modern charms and designs, qualities that also evoke Middleton’s approach to her royal wardrobe.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
While Gordon’s successor is unlikely to immediately offer the same end-product pedigree, given the England international scored 17 goals and provided five assists across all competitions in 2025-26, Newcastle hope to bring in an attacker with huge potential and many of the same key attributes.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
-
He is being schooled by faithful Duncan aka Man-At-Arms (Idris Elba) in all the proper swordplay and other attributes to be a warrior for the Castle Grayskull presided over by his father, King Randor (James Purefoy), and mother (who actually grew up on Earth), Queen Marlena (Charlotte Riley).—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Her face is blank like an unfinished canvas—a pale green surface empty of features.—
Nicole Rudick,
The New York Review of Books,
6 June 2026
-
That's evident in aerodynamic features like the front side spoilers, five-position adjustable rear wing, hood duct, and fender ducts.—
Utkarsh Sood
June 06,
New Atlas,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
Political discussions on social media are often dominated by competing attributions of more and more insidious motives to people on the other side.—
Mark Schroeder,
The Conversation,
20 Feb. 2026
-
This post was corrected on 21 January 2021 to clarify attributions.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
12 Jan. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Traits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/traits. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
