CHARACTERISTIC Synonyms: 149 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'characteristic' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of characteristic are distinctive , individual , and peculiar . While all these words mean "indicating a special quality or identity," characteristic applies to something that distinguishes or identifies a person or thing or class. // responded with her characteristic wit

Q: When could 'distinctive' be used to replace 'characteristic'?

While in some cases nearly identical to characteristic , distinctive indicates qualities distinguishing and uncommon and often superior or praiseworthy. // a distinctive aura of grace and elegance

Q: When can 'individual' be used instead of 'characteristic'?

Although the words individual and characteristic have much in common, individual stresses qualities that distinguish one from all other members of the same kind or class. // a highly individual writing style

Q: When might 'peculiar' be a better fit than 'characteristic'?

The meanings of peculiar and characteristic largely overlap; however, peculiar applies to qualities possessed only by a particular individual or class or kind and stresses rarity or uniqueness. // an eccentricity that is peculiar to the British

characteristic 1 of 2

noun

ˌker-ik-tə-ˈri-stik

Definition of characteristic next

as in trait

something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind the ability to fashion tools and other characteristics that distinguish human beings from other animals

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

characteristic

2 of 2

adjective

as in distinctive

serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group the characteristic taste of licorice

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in typical

having or showing the qualities associated with the members of a particular group or kind the characteristic wit and good-naturedness of the Irish

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective characteristic contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of characteristic are distinctive, individual, and peculiar. While all these words mean "indicating a special quality or identity," characteristic applies to something that distinguishes or identifies a person or thing or class.

responded with her characteristic wit

When could distinctive be used to replace characteristic?

While in some cases nearly identical to characteristic, distinctive indicates qualities distinguishing and uncommon and often superior or praiseworthy.

a distinctive aura of grace and elegance

When can individual be used instead of characteristic?

Although the words individual and characteristic have much in common, individual stresses qualities that distinguish one from all other members of the same kind or class.

a highly individual writing style

When might peculiar be a better fit than characteristic?

The meanings of peculiar and characteristic largely overlap; however, peculiar applies to qualities possessed only by a particular individual or class or kind and stresses rarity or uniqueness.

an eccentricity that is peculiar to the British

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of characteristic

Noun

Beyond that, it’s expected that the new 911 Dakar will have many of the same characteristics as the old one: an air intake that designed for off-roading and a suspension that sits higher than a normal 911. —

Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 12 Feb. 2025 Rain that had gathered moisture among warmer temperatures and taken on the characteristics of an atmospheric river delivered two warm storms starting late last week that brought flooding to the North Bay, and high rainfall totals elsewhere. —

Rick Hurd, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2025

Adjective

With his characteristic affability barely concealing cutting commentary, Mulaney then praised Netflix for believing in his show. —

Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2025 With characteristic narrative economy, the movie opens with a short recap of Robert’s early life. —

David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for characteristic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for characteristic

Noun

McCarthy gives a great performance, playing up the press secretary’s more boorish traits as a gum-guzzling loudmouth that mangles words and twists facts like pretzels.

— Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 11 Feb. 2025
This would have meant a high metabolism, leading Ostrom to compare Deinonychus to modern animals with similar traits, such as emus and ostriches.

— Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 8 Feb. 2025