as in qualities
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
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Recent Examples of characteristics
That creative industry may ultimately become one of LA28's defining characteristics.
—
Tim Genske, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
Garbett adds other characteristics too.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 5 June 2026
The line separating dinosaurs and early birds becomes blurrier as more discoveries are made, Lamanna said, especially as fossils show characteristics of birdlike dinosaurs, or dinosaur-like birds.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
Nobody knows for sure, and their characteristics could be varied enough that all three may apply.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 4 June 2026
According to Mike, that freedom became one of the collection’s defining characteristics.
—Laura Jackson, Vogue, 3 June 2026
Given the world’s endless number of objects, what characteristics make Sibony’s finds sculpture-worthy?
—Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 3 June 2026
Every city has its own characteristics.
—Justin Worland, Time, 3 June 2026
Holy cow, there are 9 million people here and about a thousand cities and communities with very different characteristics.
—Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 3 June 2026
Tim Genske, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
Garbett adds other characteristics too.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 5 June 2026
The line separating dinosaurs and early birds becomes blurrier as more discoveries are made, Lamanna said, especially as fossils show characteristics of birdlike dinosaurs, or dinosaur-like birds.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
Nobody knows for sure, and their characteristics could be varied enough that all three may apply.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 4 June 2026
According to Mike, that freedom became one of the collection’s defining characteristics.
—Laura Jackson, Vogue, 3 June 2026
Given the world’s endless number of objects, what characteristics make Sibony’s finds sculpture-worthy?
—Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 3 June 2026
Every city has its own characteristics.
—Justin Worland, Time, 3 June 2026
Holy cow, there are 9 million people here and about a thousand cities and communities with very different characteristics.
—Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 3 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characteristics
Noun
-
In its 2023 decision, the Supreme Court said nothing stops schools from considering how applicants’ race speaks to broader qualities.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
-
Founded by Vania Leles, Vanleles merges cultural significance and its African roots with modern charms and designs, qualities that also evoke Middleton’s approach to her royal wardrobe.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Most warm weather breeds share unique physical traits that keep them cool in high temperatures.—
Madeline Gunderson,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
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Barring Bowen, only Tomas Soucek has leadership traits.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Noun
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While Gordon’s successor is unlikely to immediately offer the same end-product pedigree, given the England international scored 17 goals and provided five assists across all competitions in 2025-26, Newcastle hope to bring in an attacker with huge potential and many of the same key attributes.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
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He is being schooled by faithful Duncan aka Man-At-Arms (Idris Elba) in all the proper swordplay and other attributes to be a warrior for the Castle Grayskull presided over by his father, King Randor (James Purefoy), and mother (who actually grew up on Earth), Queen Marlena (Charlotte Riley).—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Her face is blank like an unfinished canvas—a pale green surface empty of features.—
Nicole Rudick,
The New York Review of Books,
6 June 2026
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That's evident in aerodynamic features like the front side spoilers, five-position adjustable rear wing, hood duct, and fender ducts.—
Utkarsh Sood
June 06,
New Atlas,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
Political discussions on social media are often dominated by competing attributions of more and more insidious motives to people on the other side.—
Mark Schroeder,
The Conversation,
20 Feb. 2026
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This post was corrected on 21 January 2021 to clarify attributions.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
12 Jan. 2021
Noun
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The Justice Department hasn’t formed the five-member commission that will decide on payout criteria, so there has been no money paid out yet or claims accepted.—
Michael Kunzelman,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
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And a few weeks after that, the insurer went even further, changing its coverage policy to include deep brain stimulation for some children and teens who meet clinical criteria.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Characteristics.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characteristics. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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