CHARACTERISTIC Synonyms: 149 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'characteristic' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of characteristic are distinctive , individual , and peculiar . While all these words mean "indicating a special quality or identity," characteristic applies to something that distinguishes or identifies a person or thing or class. // responded with her characteristic wit

Q: When could 'distinctive' be used to replace 'characteristic'?

While in some cases nearly identical to characteristic , distinctive indicates qualities distinguishing and uncommon and often superior or praiseworthy. // a distinctive aura of grace and elegance

Q: When can 'individual' be used instead of 'characteristic'?

Although the words individual and characteristic have much in common, individual stresses qualities that distinguish one from all other members of the same kind or class. // a highly individual writing style

Q: When might 'peculiar' be a better fit than 'characteristic'?

The meanings of peculiar and characteristic largely overlap; however, peculiar applies to qualities possessed only by a particular individual or class or kind and stresses rarity or uniqueness. // an eccentricity that is peculiar to the British

characteristic 1 of 2

noun

ˌker-ik-tə-ˈri-stik

Definition of characteristic next

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

characteristic

2 of 2

adjective

as in distinctive

serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group the characteristic taste of licorice

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective characteristic contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of characteristic are distinctive, individual, and peculiar. While all these words mean "indicating a special quality or identity," characteristic applies to something that distinguishes or identifies a person or thing or class.

responded with her characteristic wit

When could distinctive be used to replace characteristic?

While in some cases nearly identical to characteristic, distinctive indicates qualities distinguishing and uncommon and often superior or praiseworthy.

a distinctive aura of grace and elegance

When can individual be used instead of characteristic?

Although the words individual and characteristic have much in common, individual stresses qualities that distinguish one from all other members of the same kind or class.

a highly individual writing style

When might peculiar be a better fit than characteristic?

The meanings of peculiar and characteristic largely overlap; however, peculiar applies to qualities possessed only by a particular individual or class or kind and stresses rarity or uniqueness.

an eccentricity that is peculiar to the British

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of characteristic

Noun

The solicitor general and the individual challengers both argue as well that the Court should treat gender identity as a suspect class under the Constitution, which for the first time would designate transgender individuals as a distinct class sharing immutable characteristics. —

The Editors, National Review, 5 Dec. 2024 And each category has different characteristics, so part of the process is to consider how an individual pick fits into its style overall. —

Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 5 Dec. 2024

Adjective

This process creates a firm, gel-like texture characteristic of gelatin salad. —

Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2024 If this happens just when the Mediterranean Sea is very warm, the contact between the air masses and their different temperatures causes a cold drop, along with its characteristic torrential rains. —

Geraldine Castro, WIRED, 28 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for characteristic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for characteristic

Noun

Vanney said his mother, Jeanette, who taught kindergarten for four decades, instilled those traits in him.

Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024
Studies have suggested that musical taste is deeply tied to personality traits, and findings from a machine learning study run by Spotify offers a fresh perspective on this phenomenon.

Diana Spehar, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024