description

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 At the same time, though, her descriptions of sickness and life are beautiful. The New Yorker, New Yorker, 26 Mar. 2025 The description of the new procedure gave her pause. Samhita Mukhopadhyay, SELF, 26 Mar. 2025 And Rahmani rarely rests on clichés, even in the most offhand description. Porochista Khakpour, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2025 Niccol’s coffeehouse description sounds a lot like the coffee scene of his college years. Kevin Williams, Quartz, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for description
Recent Examples of Synonyms for description
Noun
  • Their relatively young ages and social differences contribute to their doomed romance, but Brontë’s novel is more often defined by its depiction of cruelty and morality within the rigid English class system.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2025
  • One of the most fascinating parts of the depiction of the trio is how both history and insecurity shape our friendships, and both Laurie and Jaclyn’s feelings are partly born of their own inner demons.
    Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 24 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • In this slice-of-life portrait, Chen shows how childhood experiences can shape someone, illustrating how a childhood passion might expand their horizons without necessarily becoming a lifelong vocation.
    Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Its cover is also an artwork: a painting by Will St. John, who often makes portraits of drag queens and trans models done in the style of Renaissance paintings.
    Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • View Recipe Fruits of all kinds, especially berries, grapes, apples, and citrus, are celebrated by health experts for their anti-inflammatory properties.
    Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Maybe not, and hopefully not, to the same extent—hopefully not ever finding themselves in the position of total dependence on Russian energy of any kind.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • How did your own motherhood journey inform your portrayal of Gemma?
    Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Helen Schneider, acclaimed internationally for powerful portrayals in musicals like Sunset Boulevard, Evita, and her one-woman show A Walk on the Weill Side, embraced the complexities of portraying Leonard Bernstein.
    Court Stroud, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Looking Ahead: The Race to Redefine Payments In the coming years, expect an arms race of sorts in the fintech world, as incumbents and startups alike pour resources into building or partnering for super apps.
    Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Queen, a Baltimore native whose commitment to the state school was a coup of sorts for Maryland basketball, is projected as a lottery pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.
    Lindsay Schnell, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Authorities later discovered texts allegedly sent by Yolanda that help paint a picture of what led up to Rebecca’s murder.
    Bailey Richards, People.com, 23 Mar. 2025
  • While a complete picture of that morning has yet to form, the surviving roommates’ accounts and documentation shed light on what the housemates endured in a case shrouded with mystery and speculation.
    Taylor Romine, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • It is made of medium-weight cotton and adorned with charming details like deep blue stripes and wide ties to accentuate the V-neckline.
    Nora Colomer, Fox News, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The Red Flash even had a 14-4 advantage at the charity stripe over Alabama State, which didn’t even attempt a free throw until the final five minutes of the game.
    Justin Williams, The Athletic, 18 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • If your definition of an authentic dive bar is the appearance of pool tables and sound of live music, then Nowhere Bar is a shoe-in.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 29 Mar. 2025
  • And so, for that matter, is the definition of luxury.
    Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Description.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/description. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

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