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

Examples 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 First, the Raiders are irrelevant in the AFC West, the black hole an apt description of their status, not their once-proud homefield advantage. Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 11 Jan. 2025 According to the description, the money will be used to support both mid-term and long-term recovery efforts. Sari Hitchins, Parents, 10 Jan. 2025 This will be the 16th flight for this particular first stage booster, according to a mission description posted to SpaceX’s website. Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 29 Dec. 2024 Detailed descriptions of the suspects have not been released. Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 27 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for description 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for description
Noun
  • There are remnants of the resistance after the initial conflict, but Origins steadily switches gears to focus on its big three factions, led by depictions of historic figures Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Jian.
    Diego Argüello, Rolling Stone, 13 Jan. 2025
  • But the mass murder and Jacob’s scalp are among the show’s most graphic depictions.
    Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The result is an exceptional collection of portraits of children made between the 16th and 19th centuries located in their Mallorca museum.
    The Editors of ARTnews, ARTnews.com, 15 Jan. 2025
  • While most of the portraits on view at the AGO don’t depict specific women, Newton’s face appears again and again.
    Brigit Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • On Thursday, January 2, Wolfgang Puck's Bar & Grill at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas found itself in hot water — and not the kind meant for cooking.
    Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Matchmaker Maria kind enough to join us now with some tips for our viewers.
    ABC NEWS, ABC News, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Timothée Chalamet's portrayal of Dylan earned him a nod for Best Male Actor, alongside supporting nominations for Edward Norton and Monica Barbaro.
    Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Pop-Culture Travel Trends Pop-culture phenomena are influencing travel trends, with destinations gaining buzz from their portrayal in television shows, movies, and on social media.
    Caroline Tell, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • For a league that lacks star power, signing Rodriguez is a coup of sorts.
    Felipe Cardenas, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025
  • As a sideshow of sorts, there’s also the Christmas Eve defamation and breach of contract action from Stephanie Jones, the head of Baldoni’s old PR firm, in New York state court against Baldoni, his Wayfarer Studios and publicists Nathan and Abel.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 14 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Barnes’ snaps of her beau have included a sweet post from September 2023 of the couple in the middle of an embrace, an October 2024 picture posing with Ewers donning his UT Austin gear and on the field with the football star in December 2024.
    Francesca Gariano, People.com, 11 Jan. 2025
  • The robot takes a picture of homework but doesn’t just dish out answers.
    Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Seen from above, thin yellow stripes crisscross its head and back like a network, a similar pattern as giraffes or pythons.
    Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2025
  • European political leaders of such varied ideological stripes as the Social Democratic defense minister of Germany, Boris Pistorius, and the Conservative candidate for the country’s chancellorship, Friedrich Merz, agree that defense spending needs to increase significantly.
    Arancha González Laya, Foreign Affairs, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Rather than months and years of definition and testing, changes should take place almost at once.
    David Hambling, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
  • That is the definition of local news and local journalism, especially when lives are on the line and when information is crucial.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 16 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near description

Cite this Entry

“Description.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/description. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on description

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