characters 1 of 2

plural of character
1
as in symbols
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
3
4
5
as in identities
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

6
7

characters

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of character
as in characterizes
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

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 characters
Noun
Alas, King and Conqueror is unwilling to meet its characters on anything but 21st-century terms. Will Collins, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025 Since the show's 2019 debut, both characters have carried on their share of steamy affairs, including Alex's relationship with tech billionaire Paul Marks (Jon Hamm) and Bradley's romance with fellow journalist Laura Peterson (Julianna Margulies). Beth Sobol, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025 Taylor is accustomed to playing forceful characters who have perplexing emotions about motherhood, and in A Thousand and One, Taylor earned her stripes as a performer and acclaim. Essence, 18 Sep. 2025 Visitors will navigate eerie scenes and encounter characters like The Nun, The Crooked Man and The Ferryman. Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 18 Sep. 2025 Take your pick of pop star styles (on and off stage), iconic TV and movie characters to viral, news-making moments—the options for dressing up on October 31st have never been more plentiful. Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 18 Sep. 2025 Flaws are what make characters interesting. Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025 The guest starring characters for Rogen and Berlant are being kept under wraps. Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025 From these experiences, Austen must have concluded that throwing together a play was a ripe scenario for generating drama and tension between a close set of characters in her fiction. Emily Zarevich, JSTOR Daily, 11 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characters
Noun
  • The report added that Holly made posts on social media displaying his gear, which were decorated with extremist symbols and inspired by equipment used by previous mass shooters.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
  • This year, protest symbols found their way onto the red carpet.
    Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • For Mimi Pond, the desire to do a book about the Mitford sisters – six larger-than-life British eccentrics (and one brother) who created a stir in both British and American culture – was obvious.
    Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 5 Sep. 2025
  • For decades, sovereign citizens largely flew under the radar in Australia as relatively harmless eccentrics with a special interest in conspiracy theories.
    Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • However, for leaders whose judgment drives multimillion and even billion-dollar strategies, even subtle lapses in clarity can have a ripple effect across organizations, markets, and reputations.
    Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
  • The decision safeguards employees' reputations by requiring corrections to personnel records and ensures that future administrations cannot bypass statutory protections to carry out purges of the workforce.
    Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Those are characteristics that are best stated overtly.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Most Playful Night Light This is a night light for kids and adults alike, embodying the charming, playful characteristics of all Dusen Dusen products.
    Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Digital identities typically combine unique product markers with secure data records, enabling companies to monitor movement, verify authenticity and streamline compliance across markets.
    Jim Bureau, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • McClatchy News is not naming them to protect the identities of the children.
    TJ Macias, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • There are plenty of opportunities for method dressing or showing off their personalities.
    Glamour, Glamour, 14 Sep. 2025
  • While most of us seek connection, high-conflict personalities often approach relationships as opportunities to win or control others.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Davey characterizes the Longbow strategy as flexible.
    James Morris, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The title that has become attached to the painting over time curiously characterizes the Virgin Mary by the fruit, perhaps in recognition of her chastity, especially when considered in the context of Persephone’s myth.
    Demir Alp, JSTOR Daily, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Many of the protesters held anti-Trump signs and Palestinian flags.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2025
  • More than thirty signs referencing racial discrimination and the hostile attitudes of white people to those who were formerly enslaved will come down or be partially covered.
    News Desk, Artforum, 18 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Characters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characters. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on characters

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!