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Definition of characternext
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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
Developers must also be held to a higher standard in their production of housing, specifically prioritizing thoughtful design that increases the number of units while still respecting community character. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026 While Garth was navigating becoming a parent, her character Kelly Taylor was navigating love triangles, family trauma and drug addiction. Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 7 May 2026 The play also incorporates the audience, some of whom get recruited as characters by Radcliffe himself. Austin Elias-De Jesus, New Yorker, 7 May 2026 While Hathaway's beloved character has come into her own, the actress has also had plenty of success over the last 20 years. Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 3 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for character
Recent Examples of Synonyms for character
Noun
  • This flirty option sports a plunging V-neck framed by puff sleeves, plus an oversized self-tie bow that adjusts the waist.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
  • Physicists know that small units of all sorts can self-organize into large, complicated structures from simple interactions — a phenomenon known broadly as emergence.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 4 May 2026
Noun
  • Even Luke Skywalker dons a pair of beige Levi’s—transformed from a miner’s uniform into a symbol of rebellious cool by the likes of James Dean—to blend in with the desert sands of Tatooine, a former mining outpost.
    Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
  • Irises are a symbol of courage and hope—and Van Gogh’s masterpiece evokes vitality, decay, and the cycle of life itself.
    Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 4 May 2026
Noun
  • Baselitz was charged with offending public morality; the case dragged on for two years before being dismissed, but his reputation was cemented.
    News Desk, Artforum, 1 May 2026
  • At the time, plenty of commentators treated Juicero as a morality tale.
    Big Think, Big Think, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • But his reputation as a comic standard bearer precedes him, and not everyone was immediately on board with the prospect of his Willy Loman when the revival was announced.
    Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
  • The backstory Built by the late, great architect Kerry Hill for its first opening in 1993, The Datai Langkawi was one of Malaysia’s pioneering luxury jungle hideaways, and its reputation speaks volumes.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2026
Noun
  • Analyze the traits shared by successful long shots in past Derbies, and identify horses carrying those characteristics in 2026.
    Peter Keating, New York Times, 1 May 2026
  • These were then vetted by the World's 50 Best Beaches team, who based the final ranking on eight criteria, such as unique characteristics, wildlife, untouched nature and crowds.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Police said the victim, whose identity was not released, was on vacation with two family members from the Unterallgäu region of Germany.
    Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Davis allegedly tried to grab the 8-year-old girl, whose identity is yet to be publicly released, by the child's hair to pull her into a car, Fox 26 and Fresno Bee report, citing Fresno police.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • There was evidence of mice where all three of the deceased had worked, and one person had numerous mice in their home, according to the public health office for Mono County, home to Mammoth Lakes.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2026
  • The person asked not to be named because they’re not authorized to speak publicly about the matter.
    Michael Ozanian, CNBC, 4 May 2026
Noun
  • The town’s overflowing with charming Midwest eccentrics, including a cocky mayor (Henry Winkler) and a welcoming barkeep (Lena Headey).
    Randy Myers, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Those crazy, diverse individuals, that tribe of oddballs and eccentrics, dreamers, and gamblers who make up this business.
    Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Character.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/character. Accessed 8 May. 2026.

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