character 1 of 2

Definition of characternext
1
2
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

3
4
5
6
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

7
8

character

2 of 2

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
Season 2 also doesn’t reset, instead charging forward with implausible quarterly vacations and Nick as a main character in absentia, which leaves a sizable Steve Carell-sized hole with only an unspeaking infant to fill the void. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 28 May 2026 The palate showcases caramel and toffee flavors, quickly followed by rye elements of pepper, herbal notes, and a dry, earthy grain character. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026 That goes for the tension, the action, the characters, all of it. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 May 2026 Why isn’t Kevin Costner in Dutton Ranch? Costner isn’t in Dutton Ranch for one simple reason: his character, John Dutton III, was killed off in Yellowstone Season 5. Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for character
Recent Examples of Synonyms for character
Noun
  • If Muntadas’s work expands the spectacle of self-exploitation to its wider social implications, Lord’s chapter in Media Hostages, Future Language, redirects this attention to the uninterested spectators passing by the billboard on the road.
    Jonathan Odden, Artforum, 2 June 2026
  • Both versions of its former self are evident in its present-day design as a luxury hotel.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Noun
  • The palace is a fantasia, with a courtyard that does not lead to any rooms and three towers topped by onion domes—the tallest of which was dedicated to Stockalper’s namesake, Kaspar, of the Three Magi, and adorned by symbols of the sun.
    Sam Knight, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
  • The drinks cabinet became a symbol of arrival, achievement and adulthood.
    Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Noun
  • Hollywood had, for decades, been governed by the restrictive Hays Code, which attempted to push moviemaking into Puritan morality.
    Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 1 June 2026
  • Regulating morality becomes the norm and is futile when trying to regulate each individual, business, community group in a society.
    Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026
Noun
  • And the incident was one of four mechanical problems with the LCS fleet in a year, staining the reputation of the ships’ reliability.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 28 May 2026
  • That isn’t to say Crichton is an author whose reputation needs resuscitating.
    Ian Mackenzie, Literary Hub, 27 May 2026
Noun
  • On the other hand, LiPfe orbs don’t reproduce, and reproduction is one of the fundamental characteristics of life.
    Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 29 May 2026
  • Her analysis showed that at least a dozen of those fossils displayed characteristics hinting at a novel Tylosaurus species.
    Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 28 May 2026
Noun
  • And, just for good measure, his campaign confirmed the identity of Talarico’s girlfriend after Texas outlet Current Revolt published her name despite the campaign’s requests of other newsrooms to do the opposite.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 2 June 2026
  • Their identities and details of their conditions were not released.
    Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 2 June 2026
Noun
  • State health departments will continue to conduct daily symptom monitoring, as well as 24/7 continuous oversight of each person, and provide guidance through the remainder of the 42-day monitoring period, which will end June 21.
    Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 2 June 2026
  • It is made for an on-the-go business person or visitor who wants to maximize their time in the Bay Area.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Noun
  • But what the New Yorker writer left behind is some of the finest prose of the 20th century, focusing primarily on the eccentrics, scalawags, seamen, and other denizens of New York’s dank corners.
    Air Mail, Air Mail, 2 May 2026
  • 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Character.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/character. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on character

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster