description

noun

di-ˈskrip-shən How to pronounce description (audio)
Definition of descriptionnext
1
as in depiction
a vivid representation in words of someone or something we immediately recognized the man from our cousin's description of him

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in type
a number of persons or things that are grouped together because they have something in common fixes small appliances and other things of that description

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word description distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of description are character, kind, nature, sort, and type. While all these words mean "a number of individuals thought of as a group because of a common quality or qualities," 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 character be a better fit than description?

The meanings of character and description largely overlap; however, 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 could kind be used to replace description?

While the synonyms kind and description are close in meaning, kind may suggest natural grouping.

a zoo seemingly having animals of every kind

When would nature be a good substitute for description?

The words nature and description can be used in similar contexts, but nature may imply inherent, essential resemblance rather than obvious or superficial likenesses.

two problems of a similar nature

When can sort be used instead of description?

In some situations, the words sort and description are roughly equivalent. However, sort often suggests some disparagement.

the sort of newspaper dealing in sensational stories

In what contexts can type take the place of description?

The synonyms type and description are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

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 description These descriptions are published to the local UDG, where retailers can query live inventory across regions. —Gabriel René, IEEE Spectrum, 24 July 2025 In Skillman’s play, directed by Jessi D. Hill and starring Megan Hill, a woman enters with the accoutrement of close-up magic, in top hat and tails, and then proceeds to perform illusions by description and miming alone. —Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 22 July 2025 People who frequented the park recalled seeing a young woman and child that may have fit that description in the company of a man. —New York Times, 22 July 2025 Names and character descriptions could be changed at any stage of production. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 22 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for description
Recent Examples of Synonyms for description
  1. depiction
  2. portrait
  3. kind
  4. portrayal
  5. sort
  6. picture
  7. stripe
  8. definition
Noun
  • The episode, which aired July 23, ruffled more than a few feathers with its depiction of President Donald Trump.
    — Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 26 July 2025
  • The president was depicted similarly to South Park’s depiction of Saddam Hussein in its 1999 feature-length movie, South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut: ill-tempered, conniving and cruel.
    — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2025
Definition of depiction
Noun
  • There’s also a portrait of an adult Dolly in the lobby on the opposite side of the lobby.
    — Robin Raven, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
  • The family portraits in the set's side panels at the beginning of each episode are priceless.
    — Lindsay Soll, EW.com, 25 July 2025
Definition of portrait
Noun
  • The festival is the largest of its kind in the United States and is sponsored by the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin.
    — Jane Tyska, Mercury News, 13 July 2025
  • Allegiant does not tolerate disruptive behavior of any kind.
    — Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 July 2025
Definition of kind
Noun
  • Each of these artists — whether through sculpture, photography, video, painting or language — has challenged conventional portrayals of women’s bodies, emotions and experiences.
    — Megan Williams, CNN Money, 18 July 2025
  • This will be the 21-year-old actor’s highest profile role to date, offering a conventionally attractive portrayal of the Founding Father with all of his original teeth intact.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 17 July 2025
Definition of portrayal
Noun
  • For Shank Hall, the cameo is a full-circle moment of sorts.
    — Chris Foran, jsonline.com, 26 July 2025
  • The cooling, noncommittal, lightly distressed sound of Swag is an answer of sorts.
    — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 26 July 2025
Definition of sort
Noun
  • Actor Paddy Considine shared a picture of Osbourne on Instagram.
    — Marina Watts, People.com, 22 July 2025
  • For trucking cases where liability can hinge on a phone interaction seconds before impact, logical extraction provides an incomplete and potentially misleading picture.
    — Lars Daniel, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Definition of picture
Noun
  • The show also featured a regular segment on missing pets, in this case a dilute calico with a stripe down its nose.
    — Frank Langfitt, NPR, 20 July 2025
  • Researchers in Palm Beach County are trying to figure out if patterns, such as stripes on a zebra, affect how lions chase prey.
    — Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 17 July 2025
Definition of stripe
Noun
  • Defining your muscles: Isolation exercises can add definition to specific body areas and are commonly performed as part of a bodybuilding program.
    — Aubrey Bailey, Verywell Health, 14 July 2025
  • Changing the definition of conservatism Before coming to Congress, Tillis helped lead the GOP takeover and dominance of the North Carolina state legislature in the 2010s and was viewed as one of the state's most successful conservative lawmakers in recent years.
    — Stephen Fowler, NPR, 14 July 2025
Definition of definition

Browse Nearby Words

descries
description
descriptions
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on description

Nglish: Translation of description for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about description

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