description

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

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 description Two other people who witnessed the interaction confirmed Hinkle’s description of the brief exchange for the Imprint. Michael Collins, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024 The title is not merely a drama-class game but a literal description of the book’s contents. Tajja Isen, The Atlantic, 11 Dec. 2024 Other pages were normal descriptions, say a cut to an exterior day scene of Edward walking on the pier in Rangoon. Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 11 Dec. 2024 But on Monday, after a five-day manhunt, police in Altoona, Pennsylvania, took a suspect into custody fitting the description of that shooter. Patrik Jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for description 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for description
Noun
  • Nonetheless, viewing a depiction of business value and technical value on X and Y axes portrays a more integrative approach to enterprise storage.
    Eric Herzog, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
  • This small house contained a number of sensual, mythic depictions.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN, 12 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The federal government issued $2 currency notes beginning in 1862, which first had a portrait of Alexander Hamilton on the cover.
    John Tufts, The Courier-Journal, 16 Dec. 2024
  • The portraits Joseph took for the agency captured the dignity of the women at work on SS George Washington Carver, exactly what the propaganda agency wanted to show.
    April White, JSTOR Daily, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Four dams were torn down—the largest undertaking of its kind in U.S. history—to restore the Klamath River in California and Oregon to its historic flow.
    Joe Spring, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Dec. 2024
  • The ruling is undoubtedly the most high profile for Georgia's typically under-the-radar appeals court, which is among the busiest of its kind in the country.
    Democrat-Gazette staff from wire reports, arkansasonline.com, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Timothée Chalamet was nominated for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, and Mikey Madison received a nod for her breakout turn in Anora.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 9 Dec. 2024
  • Its star Ralph Fiennes earned a best actor in a drama nomination for his portrayal of a conflicted priest overseeing a papal election crawling with sabotage and subplots.
    Matt Donnelly, Variety, 9 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The block was absolutely absurd, but after swatting Deandre Ayton on an alley-oop dunk attempt in Game 4 of the 2021 NBA Finals, that type of block has become a trademark of sorts for Antetokounmpo.
    Eric Nehm, The Athletic, 15 Dec. 2024
  • This can serve as a dashcam of sorts – but one that's on your head – to document rides and capture the behavior of other road users.
    Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Conclave and Wicked lead this year’s nominees with 11 nods each, including for the top prize of best picture.
    Hilary Lewis, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Dec. 2024
  • The book also paints a vivid picture of what your life was like at the time.
    Jem Aswad, Variety, 12 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Despite the seriousness of the charges, many social media users have taken a strikingly flippant stance on the cold-blooded public execution of an American insurance executive, highlighting a consensus among people of all political stripes that the country's healthcare industry is deeply broken.
    Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
  • Case in point: Americans of all political stripes spent aggressively on Cyber Monday, shelling out a whopping $13.3 billion in the biggest online shopping day on record.
    Matt Egan, CNN, 9 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Lastly, definitions of the terms should be included where appropriate.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
  • The Madison, Wisconsin shooting, which left two dead as of Tuesday, would not qualify as a mass killing under the database's definition.
    Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near description

Cite this Entry

“Description.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/description. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on description

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!