character 1 of 2

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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

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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

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character

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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
During the interaction, the toddlers beamed with excitement as they were introduced to the famous Smurf character. Michelle Lee, People.com, 14 July 2025 Chick-fil-A One members can team up with the characters to win food prizes. Alex Perry, The Enquirer, 14 July 2025 Now, many of these larger-than-life characters, which reach up to 24 feet tall, have found a second home at the American Giants Museum, which opened in 2023 in Atlanta, Illinois (pop. 1,669), on Old Route 66. AFAR Media, 14 July 2025 The problem was precisely the universal character of Hopcroft, Paul and Valiant’s simulation. Ben Brubaker, Wired News, 13 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for character
Recent Examples of Synonyms for character
Noun
  • The Help actress instead provides lots of love, support and encouragement for Genesis to be her truest self.
    Kayla Grant, People.com, 11 July 2025
  • March 2025 The Lovers: March seems to be a month of making major choices and aligning with your future self, Pisces.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • Melons are a cultural symbol, and a pair of Yukari Kings once famously sold for $45,000 at auction.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2025
  • Left-hander Tyler Anderson has been the symbol of the troubles.
    Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 4 July 2025
Noun
  • Set to hit shelves in February 2026, Maryk's novel adopts the time-travel fiction of The Midnight Library and The Book of Doors while raising major questions about mortality, morality and more.
    Rachel Raposas, People.com, 26 June 2025
  • However, Harry Potter is not a straightforward morality tale about technology.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • Canadians live up their gracious, welcoming reputation, and their desire to make your visit special turns this road trip into a lifelong memory.
    Rebecca Deurlein, Travel + Leisure, 6 July 2025
  • Real Madrid’s winning reputation is built on their clinical efficiency in both boxes.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 July 2025
Noun
  • There are nearly 50 species of pine trees native to North America with diverse characteristics and growing preferences.
    Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 July 2025
  • That’s why researchers have spent decades trying to use genetics and behavioral characteristics to divide the spectrum into meaningful subtypes.
    Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 10 July 2025
Noun
  • The identity of the suspect has also not been released.
    Kiki Intarasuwan July 14, CBS News, 14 July 2025
  • Other elements and locations featured in the Phoenix episode include the iconic lowrider culture — an emblematic piece of Chicano identity, which will be introduced in the series through a car show at El Reposo Park showcasing the Sophisticated Few Car Club.
    Paula Soria, AZCentral.com, 13 July 2025
Noun
  • Six other vacant roles have also since been eliminated, the person said.
    Sports Editor Follow, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025
  • Officials have increased the reward for information leading to the person who fatally shot a 21-year-old congressional intern in Washington, D.C., last month.
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 July 2025
Noun
  • Ra’s decades-long adherence to this personal mythology, along with his air of serene bemusement and his extravagant robes and headdresses, led to his popular image as a colorful eccentric.
    Ekow Eshun July 11, Literary Hub, 11 July 2025
  • Other characters include outcasts, visionaries and eccentrics — all of whom live on the margins as unseen — a former priest, a girl trapped in working her family’s candy stand, a woman who learned preaching from her brother and is a caretaker for her dying housemate.
    Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 18 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Character.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/character. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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