as in characteristics
something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind
honesty is one of her defining traits
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Recent Examples of traits
There are other traits that their trips to the White House have in common.
—
Susan Page, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
Based on ideas of recruit quality and the traits the military sees as best suited to success in the ranks, the military has mostly desired to recruit straight and white young men.
—Jeremiah Favara, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2025
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.
—Khloe Quill , Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
Your height is determined by a combination of genes (traits passed down in families) and environmental factors, such as an unbalanced diet, malnutrition, economic status, and certain conditions.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 1 Nov. 2025
This season’s not over yet Mizzou remains in the CFP hunt thanks to two major traits of this year’s team.
—Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 31 Oct. 2025
Challenging a law of evolution For certain species to develop island-specific traits is nothing unusual.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
By looking at cells one at a time rather than in bulk, researchers can uncover their genetic makeup and unique behavior, observing subtle but influential traits that would be otherwise hidden.
—Perri Thaler, IEEE Spectrum, 30 Oct. 2025
Under his watch, the Blazers had become a stout defensive team, which is one of the most difficult traits to establish in the NBA.
—Jason Quick, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Susan Page, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
Based on ideas of recruit quality and the traits the military sees as best suited to success in the ranks, the military has mostly desired to recruit straight and white young men.
—Jeremiah Favara, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2025
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.
—Khloe Quill , Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
Your height is determined by a combination of genes (traits passed down in families) and environmental factors, such as an unbalanced diet, malnutrition, economic status, and certain conditions.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 1 Nov. 2025
This season’s not over yet Mizzou remains in the CFP hunt thanks to two major traits of this year’s team.
—Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 31 Oct. 2025
Challenging a law of evolution For certain species to develop island-specific traits is nothing unusual.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
By looking at cells one at a time rather than in bulk, researchers can uncover their genetic makeup and unique behavior, observing subtle but influential traits that would be otherwise hidden.
—Perri Thaler, IEEE Spectrum, 30 Oct. 2025
Under his watch, the Blazers had become a stout defensive team, which is one of the most difficult traits to establish in the NBA.
—Jason Quick, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for traits
Noun
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Ancelotti and Zidane certainly had their own tactical ideas, but were also pragmatic and based game plans primarily on the characteristics (strengths and weaknesses) of the squad made available to them.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
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For the chattering women, by contrast, the tool of power is writing; and for people who were almost certainly illiterate, the writing takes on almost magical characteristics.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Benefits of Almonds for Heart Health While combining dark chocolate and almonds has a positive impact on heart health, each food provides distinct cardioprotective qualities that contribute to these benefits.—
Anna Giorgi,
Verywell Health,
24 Oct. 2025
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Casper’s down alternative pillow has also ranked in our best pillows on Amazon for its temperature-regulating qualities and the plushness of its microfiber fill.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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As part of the exercise, Straton took 10 key attributes of fashion companies and looked at what the biggest of the big had in common.—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
30 Oct. 2025
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Your special someone may also possess Venusian attributes, whether in terms of beauty or artistic talent.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Then there are the designs that prioritize smart features.—
Elly Leavitt,
Vogue,
2 Nov. 2025
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Some store owners are afraid an update might break features on their site.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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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 4 Nov. 2025.
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