type 1 of 2

Definition of typenext

type

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word type distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of type are character, description, kind, nature, and sort. While all these words mean "a number of individuals thought of as a group because of a common quality or qualities," type may suggest strong and clearly marked similarity throughout the items included so that each is typical of the group.

one of three basic body types

When can character be used instead of type?

While the synonyms character and type are close in meaning, character implies a group marked by distinctive likenesses peculiar to the type.

research on the subject so far has been of an elementary character

When is it sensible to use description instead of type?

The words description and type can be used in similar contexts, but description implies a group marked by agreement in all details belonging to a type as described or defined.

not all acts of that description are actually illegal

When might kind be a better fit than type?

The synonyms kind and type are sometimes interchangeable, but kind may suggest natural grouping.

a zoo seemingly having animals of every kind

When could nature be used to replace type?

Although the words nature and type have much in common, nature may imply inherent, essential resemblance rather than obvious or superficial likenesses.

two problems of a similar nature

When is sort a more appropriate choice than type?

While in some cases nearly identical to type, sort often suggests some disparagement.

the sort of newspaper dealing in sensational stories

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 type
Verb
This Google ad tells the love story of a foreign exchange student in Paris, showing search queries typed on a computer screen. Vogue, 8 Feb. 2026 There are probably people born in 1945 — the year the first general-purpose electronic computer went into operation — who retired before learning to type. Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 6 Feb. 2026 Rochelle typed six section signs — § — in a neat column at the top of the page. Jayme Fraser, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026 Angela typed his Alien number into the ICE locator, a tool that shows a detainee’s location. Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for type
Recent Examples of Synonyms for type
Noun
  • The arbitrator was moved by his story but ruled against him anyway, denying him his last chance for a win of any kind at this year’s Olympics.
    Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Returning on her sixth studio album, To Whom It May Concern, the Philadelphia native brings in immeasurable wisdom, blossoming into the effortless positivity and authenticity of past albums—the kind that has assisted multiple generations on their respective healing journeys.
    Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • As the first Brazilian nominee in the category — a milestone that lives beside his historic Golden Globe win — his presence alone marks a meaningful moment.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Researchers classified low-fat or low-carb diets into 5 categories, including total, healthy, unhealthy, animal or vegetable.
    Barbara Mantel, NBC news, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The case is the first time the Justice Department has attempted to classify critical speech from prominent Trump detractors as a crime.
    Jeremy Roebuck, Washington Post, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Commercial prediction markets have resisted efforts by states to classify and regulate them as gambling companies, insisting that they — like their precursor in Iowa — should be overseen by federal regulators.
    Suzy Khimm, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The visit marked an arrival of sorts for Ireland on the world stage, with the Fellowship Club giving Cosgrave a remarkable platform to connect with Irish America.
    Brian Cahalane, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Advertisement In pairs figure skating, this Olympics is an opportunity of sorts, as a traditional powerhouse in the event, Russia, is banned from the Games following the invasion of Ukraine.
    Alice Park, Time, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Minnesota is currently the only team among the top seven of the Big Ten not to be nationally ranked, though that situation may change when Monday’s latest Associated Press poll is released — the Gophers fell two votes shy in last week’s Top 25 polling.
    Staff Report, Twin Cities, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Here are three dividend-paying stocks that are highlighted by Wall Street's top pros, as tracked by TipRanks, a platform that ranks analysts based on their past performance.
    , CNBC, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • July pushes the genre of auto-fiction to new limits here.
    Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Yeoh made her start in the martial arts genre, becoming synonymous with the best of Hong Kong action by leading films like Yes, Madam (1985), Magnificent Warriors (1987), and Wing Chun (1994).
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Multiple chips are then grouped together to create FinalSpark’s Neuroplatform (aka.
    Matthew S Williams, Interesting Engineering, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Assembling the Ni-Ti tubes into a working elastocaloric regenerator—a type of heat exchanger—involved grouping them into trios, and tightly fitting them into a strong plastic casing.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The red and gold stripes over the blue horizon mimics a beautiful desert sunset, with the star in the middle symbolizing copper.
    Becky Bartkowski, AZCentral.com, 14 Feb. 2026
  • These Riviera stripes are a distinctly coastal window treatment, but are versatile enough to work in a landlocked environment.
    Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 13 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Type.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/type. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.

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