as in qualities
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
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Recent Examples of characteristics
This perception of tatreez, or traditional Palestinian embroidery, as a type of visual language is widely shared, owing to its intimacy with the land and biographical characteristics.
—
Zoe Whitfield, CNN Money, 14 Feb. 2026
In vacating the life prison term in 2024, Cook County Judge Marc Martin found in part that Modrowski had been unfairly portrayed as emotionless and cold during his 1995 trial and sentencing proceedings when the characteristics were likely due to his autism.
—Christy Gutowski, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
And what physical characteristics is law enforcement focusing on that might help people locate them?
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 13 Feb. 2026
Although it's become controversial in recent years, the reality is that surrogacy can be an intimate, collaborative, and often altruistic process—but those characteristics of the process rarely make it into public conversations.
—Kris Ann Valdez, Parents, 13 Feb. 2026
Power is supplied by a 12-volt, 10-amp-hour lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄) battery, selected for its thermal stability, safety characteristics, and long cycle life.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026
Michelle Yu, an on-air simulcast host at the Santa Anita Park race track, confirms that many of the Zodiac Horse characteristics are akin to qualities of real horses.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Ailsa Craig and the Trefor granite quarry probably became the go-to sources over time through some combination of their performance characteristics, tradition and standardization.
—Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 10 Feb. 2026
Couple his extroverted on-pitch personality and his, in theory, imposing 6ft 4in (195cm) frame that can be equally languid and driving in style, Onana should have all the characteristics to play among the elite.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Zoe Whitfield, CNN Money, 14 Feb. 2026
In vacating the life prison term in 2024, Cook County Judge Marc Martin found in part that Modrowski had been unfairly portrayed as emotionless and cold during his 1995 trial and sentencing proceedings when the characteristics were likely due to his autism.
—Christy Gutowski, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
And what physical characteristics is law enforcement focusing on that might help people locate them?
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 13 Feb. 2026
Although it's become controversial in recent years, the reality is that surrogacy can be an intimate, collaborative, and often altruistic process—but those characteristics of the process rarely make it into public conversations.
—Kris Ann Valdez, Parents, 13 Feb. 2026
Power is supplied by a 12-volt, 10-amp-hour lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄) battery, selected for its thermal stability, safety characteristics, and long cycle life.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026
Michelle Yu, an on-air simulcast host at the Santa Anita Park race track, confirms that many of the Zodiac Horse characteristics are akin to qualities of real horses.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Ailsa Craig and the Trefor granite quarry probably became the go-to sources over time through some combination of their performance characteristics, tradition and standardization.
—Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 10 Feb. 2026
Couple his extroverted on-pitch personality and his, in theory, imposing 6ft 4in (195cm) frame that can be equally languid and driving in style, Onana should have all the characteristics to play among the elite.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characteristics
Noun
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But with those demands, consumers demands may surpass manufacturers’ qualities, leaving consumers searching for the perfect fit.—
Marc D. Grasso,
Boston Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
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The character of Mandakini required specific qualities that Rajamouli believes Chopra Jonas uniquely possesses.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Personality traits such as mental toughness, discipline, high pain tolerance and persistence may also lead to worsened eating disorder risk and behaviors in athletes.—
Emily Hemendinger,
The Conversation,
13 Feb. 2026
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Because so many anatomical and physiological traits differ between the two animals, the specific impact of limb mass distribution could not be isolated.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Players, within the same age range, can be grouped by physical attributes, play-driving, overall style and production, among other factors.—
Shayna Goldman,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
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Without the correct attributes — competitiveness, mindset, IQ, internal drive — Donovan fears a young player could flounder in Chicago.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In 2025 alone, the Moroccan Cinematographic Center (CCM) backed 23 foreign features through the incentive scheme, generating more than $165 million in local investment.—
Ben Croll,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
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The film marks a buzzy return to the theatrical features for Belgian director and producer Frank Van Passel, best known for Cannes breakout and Oscar entry Mannekin Pis and Villa des Roses, with more recent credits including mystery thriller series Moresnet.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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This post was corrected on 21 January 2021 to clarify attributions.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
12 Jan. 2021
Noun
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These are the criteria USA TODAY Network journalists considered while curating our annual Restaurants of the Year list, a selection of dining spots across the country.—
Michael McCarter,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
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Nationwide, more than 46 million people met the criteria for a substance abuse disorder as of 2021, the most recent data available.—
Emma Fenske,
The Conversation,
12 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Characteristics.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characteristics. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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