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
1
as in distinctive
serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group
the characteristic taste of licorice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of characteristic
ArsTechnica, 7 July 2025
Many businesses are prioritizing the experience, skills and characteristics of job seekers such as drive, coachability, work ethic, grit, potential and more, said Skelton.
—Ernestine Siu, CNBC, 4 July 2025
John Blake, CNN Money, 14 June 2025
Deeper in the peninsula is the nearly 1-million-acre Olympic National Park, which packs in mountains characteristic of the Pacific Northwest and blue-green lakes.
—Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for characteristic
Noun
But one skeleton was that of a child, between the age of 3 and 5 years old whose features seemed to show a mix of early human and Neanderthal characteristics.
—ArsTechnica, 7 July 2025
Many businesses are prioritizing the experience, skills and characteristics of job seekers such as drive, coachability, work ethic, grit, potential and more, said Skelton.
—Ernestine Siu, CNBC, 4 July 2025
Adjective
But the Dutch historian Rutger Bregman uses the image in his new book to ask two questions: What innate characteristic enabled that man to resist the fear the Nazi state instilled in so many of its citizens?
—John Blake, CNN Money, 14 June 2025
Deeper in the peninsula is the nearly 1-million-acre Olympic National Park, which packs in mountains characteristic of the Pacific Northwest and blue-green lakes.
—Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for characteristic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characteristic
Noun
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What wasn’t reported was Rivera’s aversion to pitches coming near him, a trait that’s fatal to long-term hitting success.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 July 2025
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This industry-wide trait is also reflected in valuation standards.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
3 July 2025
Adjective
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Some patients also develop distinctive rashes, particularly those associated with Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.—
Youri Benadjaoud,
ABC News,
7 July 2025
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The Phoenix Financial Center, a distinctive office complex in central Phoenix, is slated for a major renovation.—
Corina Vanek,
AZCentral.com,
7 July 2025
Adjective
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The size of a typical studio apartment is 500 to 600 square feet.—
Kate Talerico,
Mercury News,
14 July 2025
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Among the amenities typical of a hotel, the lodge complex included a saloon, a deli, a coffee shop, a post office, a gift shop, and a visitors center.—
Perry Vandell,
AZCentral.com,
13 July 2025
Noun
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At 44-feet long, the town's new ladder truck has a compact wheelbase for improved maneuverability— an essential feature for navigating the town’s narrower roads and residential areas, Interim Fire Chief Matthew Lupo explained.—
Gabrielle Chenault,
The Tennessean,
9 July 2025
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Other notable features include an adjustable strap with a flat buckle and supersoft fabric.—
Anne Taylor,
Travel + Leisure,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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Deloitte’s Global Resilience Report, based on surveys of over 2,000 CEOs and 6,000 executives, found that 62% view ongoing disruption as the new normal.—
Jeetendr Sehdev,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
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Representatives for OpenAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fortune, made outside normal working hours.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
1 July 2025
Noun
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Delap’s performance was less easy to evaluate, but there were more signs that his speed, aggression and direct running are excellent raw attributes to work with.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
-
One of Hargitay’s themes is the toxicity of fame, especially when it’s awarded not for your accomplishments but your attributes.—
Robert Lloyd,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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Linkin Park manages to push three distinct projects north on the same chart at the same time, as consumption of the Grammy-winning act’s catalog continues to grow.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2025
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Among the graffiti was a drawing of a crying woman with a distinct Flavian period hairstyle, as well as the Greek alphabet.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
5 July 2025
Adjective
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In this way, the image captures both the bright corona, visible from Earth only during a total solar eclipse, as well as fine details that standard exposures would miss.—
Carlyn Kranking,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 July 2025
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The standard objection is that raising taxes on wealthy Americans will chase them away.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Characteristic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characteristic. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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