description

noun

di-ˈskrip-shən How to pronounce description (audio)
Definition of descriptionnext
1
as in depiction
a vivid representation in words of someone or something we immediately recognized the man from our cousin's description of him

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in type
a number of persons or things that are grouped together because they have something in common fixes small appliances and other things of that description

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Incident description Summit Fire: 576 acres, 23% contained Jacket Fire: 46 acres, 96% contained. —Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2025 Palestinian claims, in his description, were a propaganda tool of Arab nationalism and Islamic fundamentalism. —Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 11 July 2025 When expectations need updating Fast-moving businesses often outgrow old job descriptions. —Alain Hunkins, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 Life-size cutouts of them accompany descriptions and artifacts from their lives. —Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for description
Recent Examples of Synonyms for description
  1. depiction
  2. portrait
  3. kind
  4. portrayal
  5. sort
  6. picture
  7. stripe
  8. definition
Noun
  • Her most famous depiction is on a tilma (cloak-like garment), attributed to a 16th-century story of a Nahua man named Juan Diego.
    — Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 July 2025
  • Superman 2025 is the latest in a long line of media depictions of the dashing visitor from another planet who fights bad guys (Earthlings and aliens), rescues people in distress, inspires hope and seeks justice.
    — Rusty Wright, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 2025
Definition of depiction
Noun
  • Can any destination evoke such a portrait of perfection as Tuscany?
    — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 14 July 2025
  • The truth is that Sofia’s job can be taxing, and in The Scout, which premiered in June at the Tribeca Film Festival, González-Nasser, who was herself a location scout for six years, crafts a modest portrait of its complicated reality.
    — Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2025
Definition of portrait
Noun
  • Allegiant does not tolerate disruptive behavior of any kind.
    — Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 July 2025
  • There are three holidays when alcohol of any kind is prohibited from being sold in Tennessee.
    — Jordan Green, The Tennessean, 4 July 2025
Definition of kind
Noun
  • The star of the movie also briefly discussed his portrayal.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2025
  • Tatiana Maslany anchors this Canadian potboiler with her portrayal of about a dozen (give or take) clones all built from the same original.
    — Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 3 July 2025
Definition of portrayal
Noun
  • Not long ago, my wife and I brought in our daughter, Alice, who’d been out of sorts for a couple of weeks.
    — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
  • There reportedly have been major discussions within WWE to move Knight to Raw as a fresh start of sorts, but for now, WWE’s happy medium is simply letting Knight appear on Monday nights without an official move to the red brand.
    — Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
Definition of sort
Noun
  • Wednesday at Comerica Park, the Tigers flashed his picture on the video board and officially announced that McKinstry had been selected to replace Houston shortstop Jeremy Peña on the AL All-Star team.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 10 July 2025
  • Brady and Vergara took a picture together with Maluma kissing the actress’ forehead.
    — Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 10 July 2025
Definition of picture
Noun
  • Conservative ETFs — and virtue-signaling funds of all political stripes — are proliferating in the Trump age.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 8 July 2025
  • Linen lovers will swoon over the $53 Easy Pull-on Pant in 100% Linen (over 60 percent off the original price), which comes in a pale pink stripe that’s begging to take you for a stroll along the Amalfi this summer.
    — Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2025
Definition of stripe
Noun
  • Changing the definition of conservatism Before coming to Congress, Tillis helped lead the GOP takeover and dominance of the North Carolina state legislature in the 2010s and was viewed as one of the state's most successful conservative lawmakers in recent years.
    — Stephen Fowler, NPR, 14 July 2025
  • Defining your muscles: Isolation exercises can add definition to specific body areas and are commonly performed as part of a bodybuilding program.
    — Aubrey Bailey, Verywell Health, 14 July 2025
Definition of definition

Browse Nearby Words

descries
description
descriptions
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on description

Nglish: Translation of description for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about description

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