CHARACTER Synonyms: 277 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

character 1 of 2

noun

ˈker-ik-tər

Definition of character next

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

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as in eccentric

a person of odd or whimsical habits the junk dealer is certainly a character, but he's as honest as they come

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as in morality

conduct that conforms to an accepted standard of right and wrong we need more people of sound character in public office

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as in reputation

overall quality as seen or judged by people in general the general character of the business appears to be good

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as in characteristic

something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind one of the distinguishing characters of mammals

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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

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as in self

the set of qualities that makes a person, a group of people, or a thing different from others the basic character of the work requires that an employee be able to work quietly and independently

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as in person

a member of the human race you wouldn't believe what kind of characters hang around the bus station

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character

2 of 2

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

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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

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 character

Noun

This will be the first season of the HBO series without Coolidge, whose character was killed off in the finale of Season 2. —

Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024 Luckily the owners at the time also wanted to preserve the home’s character and designed the addition to blend in with the original structure. —

Paola Singer, Architectural Digest, 16 Dec. 2024

Verb

The focus shifts from character to character, from past to present. —

Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 16 Apr. 2024 Neil Gaiman and Matt Wagner’s DC comic book characters the Dead Boy Detectives, a pair of supernatural investigators who appeared in The Sandman series, get their own spinoff live-action series, which debuts on Netflix on April 25. —

Abid Rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for character

Recent Examples of Synonyms for character

Noun

The new theory posits that the monument’s stones, sourced from distant regions, served as symbols of political alliances, possibly after unrest.

Jamie Carter, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
Many theories exist as to the original purpose of Stonehenge, including a burial site, astronomical observatory, religious or worship site, some sort of gesture or symbol, or a place of ritual or healing.

Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2024