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temper

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word temper distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of temper are character, disposition, personality, and temperament. While all these words mean "the dominant quality or qualities distinguishing a person or group," temper implies the qualities acquired through experience that determine how a person or group meets difficulties or handles situations.

a resilient temper

When might character be a better fit than temper?

The meanings of character and temper largely overlap; however, character applies to the aggregate of moral qualities by which a person is judged apart from intelligence, competence, or special talents.

strength of character

When could disposition be used to replace temper?

The words disposition and temper can be used in similar contexts, but disposition implies customary moods and attitude toward the life around one.

a cheerful disposition

When is it sensible to use personality instead of temper?

While the synonyms personality and temper are close in meaning, personality applies to an aggregate of qualities that distinguish one as a person.

a somber personality

In what contexts can temperament take the place of temper?

Although the words temperament and temper have much in common, temperament implies a pattern of innate characteristics associated with one's specific physical and nervous organization.

an artistic temperament

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 temper
Noun
Oh my God, Lisa really lost it so quickly, and her temper gets shorter with every episode. Sarah Hagi, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2024 Things get complicated both for plot reasons and because every character in this movie is running way hotter than is advisable, and everyone is hard pressed to keep their tempers, needs, and desires in check. Samantha Allen, Them, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
The next few years may test how much the importance of globalized commerce can temper political enmity. Andrew Williams, WIRED, 7 Dec. 2024 Wall Street has already tempered expectations for cuts over the coming year. Lewis Krauskopf, USA TODAY, 30 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for temper 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for temper
Noun
  • Like any entertainer riding high on mass expectations, Pushpa 2: The Rule focuses on the star, and his aura above and beyond everything else in the movie.
    Sweta Kaushal, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
  • There was an air of promise, an aura of possibility.
    Mike Sacks, Vulture, 4 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The mood on Wall Street was generally upbeat about the housing picture.
    Jeff Cox, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2024
  • The Charcuterie Shift Smoked meats and soft cheeses instantly elevate any party, and a Christmas charcuterie board will set the celebratory mood early in the day.
    Rai Mincey, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • National Dog Show contestants are judged based on overall appearance, temperament and structure according to their breeds’ official standards.
    Kaylah Jackson, NBC News, 29 Nov. 2024
  • Contestants were judged based on overall appearance, temperament, and structure according to their breeds’ official standards.
    Simmone Shah, TIME, 29 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • In this instance, after annealing, nanoplastic molecules are physically bound together with the molecules of tetracycline.
    Joe Salas, New Atlas, 3 Nov. 2024
  • Kaveh was certainly born a good person, but his overwhelming personal grace and the power of his art were annealed into their pure form by the white-hot fire of his addiction.
    Lauren Groff, TIME, 2 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Here's how to stop plastic waste Newsweek Environment and Sustainability Editor Jeff Young moderated the discussion, which featured panelists who are working to change the way industries produce and reuse plastic materials along the supply chain.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
  • Morning fog and ideal temperatures moderated by the region’s two rivers create the perfect condition to allow noble rot or botrytis to form and concentrate the grape’s sugars.
    Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The presence of luminaries such as Clive Davis and Quincy Jones as music chairmen, along with show producer George Schlatter, created an atmosphere of star power that rivals even the top entertainment industry awards shows.
    Rosemary Rossi, Variety, 15 Dec. 2024
  • In the thick atmosphere, stray dogs fight with seabirds for scraps of offal and urinate against the barrels of blood and salt water where waiting fish float.
    Christopher Cameron, Robb Report, 14 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • In the spirit of holiday giving, the team invites their community to nominate and vote for upstanding charitable organizations that support mothers.
    Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
  • While plenty of drinkers crowd the bar area, lots of Guinness also flows upstairs at the gastropub, which has the spirit of a French village restaurant.
    Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Taking up lots of space in the frame and spreading your limbs wide creates a powerful disposition.
    Margaret Cirino, NPR, 6 Dec. 2024
  • The Pollocks were apprehended and await disposition of their case.
    Antonio Fins, USA TODAY, 15 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near temper

Cite this Entry

“Temper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/temper. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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