character 1 of 2

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as in symbol
a written or printed mark that is meant to convey information to the reader the pictorial characters of the ancient Egyptians had long been a mystery

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in identity
the set of qualities that make a person different from other people she regards each of her children as having a distinctive character that should be valued for what it is

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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character

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verb

as in to characterize
to point out the chief quality or qualities of an individual or group formerly charactered as "the dark ages," that period of history may not have been quite so benighted as once thought

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word character different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of character are attribute, property, and quality. While all these words mean "an intelligible feature by which a thing may be identified," character applies to a peculiar and distinctive quality of a thing or a class.

remarks of an unseemly character

When might attribute be a better fit than character?

The words attribute and character can be used in similar contexts, but attribute implies a quality ascribed to a thing or a being.

the attributes of a military hero

When can property be used instead of character?

The synonyms property and character are sometimes interchangeable, but property implies a characteristic that belongs to a thing's essential nature and may be used to describe a type or species.

the property of not conducting heat

In what contexts can quality take the place of character?

The meanings of quality and character largely overlap; however, quality is a general term applicable to any trait or characteristic whether individual or generic.

material with a silky quality

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 character
Noun
On the other hand, while Franklin’s abilities seemingly outstrip everyone else in the MCU, he hasn’t been established yet as an actual character beyond being a cute, towheaded preschooler. Adam B. Vary, Variety, 26 July 2025 But none topped Booker Prize-winner Hollinghurst, who turned out, in the same 15 minutes as the rest of us, a richly cinematic scene placing the fictional character of Alan Hollinghurst in a tricky social encounter fraught with manners, ego, and ambition. Dan Morrison, USA Today, 26 July 2025 It is based on characters created by Jeffrey Reddick. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 25 July 2025 Actor Tom Welling played Ultraman in live-action form on a 2010 episode of Smallville, which introduced the character as Clark Luthor of Earth-Two. EW.com, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for character
Recent Examples of Synonyms for character
Noun
  • When Chandra first detected the X-ray emission from the tidal disruption event, this stream was just beginning to wrap back on itself, the self-intersection giving rise to shock-heating that produced X-rays.
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 25 July 2025
  • After turning to booze, running out of money, and once again losing his now-late grandma's house, Happy is a shell of his former self.
    Megan McCluskey, Time, 25 July 2025
Noun
  • However, when the election was over, the couple began to seriously contemplate its symbol but left it up.
    Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
  • For many American adults, buying a home for the first time is a key financial achievement, as well as a symbol of independence.
    Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 18 July 2025
Noun
  • And then reality crashes down around them in a series of scenes that expose the cruel hypocrisy of Iran’s corrupt system (which purports to uphold morality, but allows men in positions of authority to indulge themselves in egregious ways).
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 11 July 2025
  • The post did not address the morality of allowing biological males in girls sports.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 July 2025
Noun
  • Hong Kong perfected this approach over the last few decades, building its reputation through observation and thoughtful adaptation.
    Sandy Peng, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • As a professional cartographer, his reputation and ability to make a living is on the line if his map was found to be less than useful.
    The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • Sometimes an offense takes on the characteristics of its most distinguishable member - only the Brewers have a lower team average exit speed than the Padres, and only a handful of clubs hit more line drives, as the club mimics the tendencies of Luis Arraez.
    Tony Blengino, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
  • Felix Brill, chief investment officer at VP Bank, agrees that the SGD has many characteristics of a modern safe haven, including macroeconomic stability, strong institutions, a large current account surplus, and low political risk.
    Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 21 July 2025
Noun
  • The identity of the suspect has also not been released.
    Kiki Intarasuwan July 14, CBS News, 14 July 2025
  • Youssef is a bridge of sorts between multiple modes of Muslim identity.
    Hanif Abdurraqib, New Yorker, 13 July 2025
Noun
  • It has been shown to reduce anxiety levels and physiologic stress, which can help a person relax and improve rest or sleep patterns.
    Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 21 July 2025
  • Initial report: The intersection of Interstate 70 and North Post Road is closed as officials investigate a fatal crash that killed one person in east Indianapolis, Indianapolis police said.
    Matthew Cupelli, IndyStar, 21 July 2025
Noun
  • Ra’s decades-long adherence to this personal mythology, along with his air of serene bemusement and his extravagant robes and headdresses, led to his popular image as a colorful eccentric.
    Ekow Eshun July 11, Literary Hub, 11 July 2025
  • Other characters include outcasts, visionaries and eccentrics — all of whom live on the margins as unseen — a former priest, a girl trapped in working her family’s candy stand, a woman who learned preaching from her brother and is a caretaker for her dying housemate.
    Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 18 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Character.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/character. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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