character 1 of 2

noun

ˈker-ik-tər How to pronounce character (audio)
Definition of characternext
1
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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2
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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3
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
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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5
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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6
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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7
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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 character
Noun
That Pawlikowski is telling a story of actual historical figures proves a fascinating challenge for a filmmaker who has previously invented characters to serve as historical reminders. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 14 May 2026 Your character in Hard Boiled is quiet but lethal, and your character in In the Mood for Love is quiet but very sensitive. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 May 2026 Barker, meanwhile, makes his world relatable and believable, which will help viewers see themselves in the characters, even as their behaviors become more and more unhinged. —Adam Graham, Boston Herald, 14 May 2026 Few comedies are so upfront about mastectomy scars (both physical and emotional), and Clotet isn’t afraid to write Nora into situations that don’t reflect well on her character. —Jay Weissberg, Variety, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for character
Recent Examples of Synonyms for character
  1. self
  2. symbol
  3. morality
  4. reputation
  5. characteristic
  6. identity
  7. person
  8. eccentric
Noun
  • Though soaps were not without their occasional levity, the earnest self-seriousness of their proceedings often prevented them from engaging in self-reflexive critique.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
  • More than a workflow, CD/CR is positioned as a new framework and potentially a new SOC discipline, built around the idea that detection and investigation should function as a single self-improving system.
    — K.H. Koehler, USA Today, 18 May 2026
Definition of self
Noun
  • Matić, who is based in London, works across photography, sculpture, sound, poetry, and film to examine social dynamics of race, gender, and intimacy through the lens of national symbols (flags are a recurring motif).
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 18 May 2026
  • The project blends soccer, youth and culture into a lasting symbol of Inglewood pride.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
Definition of symbol
Noun
  • These morality tales, focusing on figures like Michael Milken and Ivan Boesky, make an implicit claim that individual avarice somehow explains the excesses of an entire era.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 May 2026
  • As this memoir opens, Iran’s morality police stalk the university where Nafisi works, censuring her female students.
    — The Atlantic, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026
Definition of morality
Noun
  • Then there’s Stokes, who has long been considered not only the best prospect in his class but also an emotional player who has a reputation that scared some schools away.
    — CJ Moore, New York Times, 21 May 2026
  • This small city in rural northeastern South Dakota has established itself as an energy hub for the entire Great Plains region, and that reputation has received a big boost by landing what will be among the world's largest energy storage projects.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 20 May 2026
Definition of reputation
Noun
  • This compression of the purchase funnel is now the defining characteristic of modern fashion commerce, separating market leaders from those struggling to keep pace.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
  • One of the defining characteristics of Nicole Wise’s first season as the Mater Dei softball coach surfaced again Thursday.
    — Dan Albano, Oc Register, 15 May 2026
Definition of characteristic
Noun
  • The passenger’s identity and current medical status were not disclosed.
    — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 20 May 2026
  • Their identities have not been made public.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 19 May 2026
Definition of identity
Noun
  • At least one person was killed by a gunman at the Islamic Center of San Diego today, the Council on American-Islamic Relations said in a statement.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 19 May 2026
  • Clark attended an elementary and a middle school in person at the district, but following the pandemic his family enrolled him online schooling full time, Canning said.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2026
Definition of person
Noun
  • But what the New Yorker writer left behind is some of the finest prose of the 20th century, focusing primarily on the eccentrics, scalawags, seamen, and other denizens of New York’s dank corners.
    — Air Mail, Air Mail, 2 May 2026
  • The town’s overflowing with charming Midwest eccentrics, including a cocky mayor (Henry Winkler) and a welcoming barkeep (Lena Headey).
    — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026
Definition of eccentric

Phrases Containing character

Browse Nearby Words

char
character
character assassination
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Cite this Entry

“Character.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/character. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on character

Nglish: Translation of character for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about character

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