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

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
Jesus, everything was going fine, and then my right typing hand just cramped up and… OOOOOOOUUUUCCCHHHHHH! Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Mar. 2026 On March 1, the 2026 Actor Awards (that’s still so weird to type) will include two of the few major honors for stuntwork. Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 28 Feb. 2026 My thumbs can only type so fast. Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 27 Feb. 2026 These seem like basic decencies and are embarrassing to type out. Raven Smith, Vogue, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for type
Recent Examples of Synonyms for type
Noun
  • One kind and patient spectator conscripted to play the school counselor had to remove her shoe to improvise a sock puppet, one of the tools of her empathetic practice.
    Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
  • The Sacramento International Airport launched outposts of three local restaurants and a first-of-its-kind cafe and market concept Thursday as part of its major dining overhaul project.
    Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 13 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • As Lindo and Jordan were introducing the visual effects category, Scottish campaigner John Davidson, who has Tourette syndrome, blurted out the N-word.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
  • In fact, the Academy has nominated two women in this category only once in almost 100 years—Zhao for Nomadland and Emerald Fennell for Promising Young Woman, back in 2021.
    Radhika Seth, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The case was classified as an animal bite but the animal has yet to be recovered, according to Oldoerp.
    Cierra Morgan, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
  • The World Health Organization now classifies burnout as an occupational phenomenon, and research shows that the average person’s attention span has dropped nearly 50% in the last two decades.
    Elan Gepner-Dales, Rolling Stone, 13 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • An increase of some sort wasn’t necessarily surprising.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 10 Mar. 2026
  • So far, the Mets have only minimal updates on Lindor, but a hamate surgery is probably considered a minimal surgery of sorts, at least relatively speaking.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The most coveted offensive player for a lot of teams might be former Baltimore center Tyler Linderbaum, ranked by Pro Football Focus as the fifth-best at his position and someone who improved his PFF grade in every season since entering the league five years ago.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Here are three stocks favored by some of Wall Street's top pros, according to TipRanks, a platform that ranks analysts based on their past performance.
    TipRanks.com Staff, CNBC, 8 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Or, as would be more accurate for the genre, a devil gets its horns.
    Chase Hutchinson, IndieWire, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Social media is basically unscripted and its rise has backstopped the once humble entertainment genre and is helping propel it.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Teams are then grouped by quad – Quad 1 teams are the best in the country, on down.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Map out your must-see spots geographically and group them by proximity to avoid unnecessary backtracking.
    Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Her liberty cap bears stars and stripes, at once a symbol of our burgeoning Nation and a reference to early American coinage.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Bam paraded to the stripe and accepted their charity.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 14 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Type.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/type. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.

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