type 1 of 2

type

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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
The low-profile keys are still satisfying to type on all day. Brenda Stolyar, Wired News, 24 Apr. 2025 The Lenovo faithful will miss the signature red TrackPoint in the center of the keyboard, and typing on the ThinkPad X9 is a definite downgrade from the usual ThinkPad. PC Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025 Skip to the next and previous photo by typing j/k or ←/→. Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 22 Apr. 2025 The quicker option would be to type the problem into a computer through some elegant Python code (or another programming language). Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for type
Recent Examples of Synonyms for type
Noun
  • However, the dispute between Lage and Textor, a first of its kind, will hinge on whether such promises are enforceable.
    Matt Slater, New York Times, 2 May 2025
  • The Joint Office, Klein says, was the first of its kind at the federal level.
    Camila Domonoske, NPR, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • Chicken-centric chains, notably Raising Cane’s and Wingstop, were the strongest performers among all restaurant categories in 2024.
    Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 3 May 2025
  • These two categories of research have previously been targeted by Republicans in Congress such as Rep. Jim Jordan and Sen. Ted Cruz.
    Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 2 May 2025
Verb
  • Boys of Summer is classified as a fougère, a classically masculine scent categorized by herbaceous top notes (usually lavender), a floral heart, and a green, woody base.
    Ariel Wodarcyk, Glamour, 2 May 2025
  • According to the plan, the parade would be classified as a national special security event, and that request has been submitted by the National Park Service and is under review.
    Lolita C. Baldor, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • The Dallas starters were a little out of sorts, and Bueckers struggled to find the appropriate balance between hunting her shot and feeding her teammates.
    Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 3 May 2025
  • But Gen X—born somewhere between 1965 and 1980—has been largely forgotten about (although even saying that has become a cliché of sorts).
    Daisy Jones, Vogue, 3 May 2025
Verb
  • In total, 16 of the album’s songs populate this week’s 50-position chart, which ranks songs based a formula blending U.S. streaming and sales totals.
    Trevor Anderson, Billboard, 1 May 2025
  • Connolly defeated Ocasio-Cortez by a 131-84 margin in December to become the House Oversight Committee ranking Democrat.
    Amanda Castro Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • That literary trope turned rom-com convention gives structure to all six of her masterworks—which goes to show that the romance genre, far from mere escapism, can be an ideal lens through which to observe a society’s values.
    Judy Berman, Time, 2 May 2025
  • Unlike battle royale games like Fortnite and Warzone, or even hero shooters like Overwatch and Valorant, the extraction shooter is a somewhat less saturated genre (at least to mainstream audiences).
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 2 May 2025
Verb
  • These seats will be grouped into two areas on the plane — one at the front, and one around the exit rows in the middle of the plane.
    Alain Sherter, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Vegetables can be grouped into two categories: Non-starchy and starchy.
    Lindsey DeSoto, Health, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The subtle stripe keeps the print from leaning too floral, and Resor ran the pattern vertically to highlight the stripe.
    Allison Duncan, Vogue, 8 May 2025
  • The gown was teamed with a matching pinstripe tie and classic white button-down with the luxury brand's signature triple-stripe armband detail in red, white and blue.
    Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 6 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Type.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/type. Accessed 13 May. 2025.

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