characters 1 of 2

Definition of charactersnext
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

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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

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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

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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
Similar to Chinese citizen ID numbers, each robot will receive a unique identification code with 11 additional characters. Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 May 2026 Plopsaland Belgium Worlds of fun for the younger set await in this theme park centered around the characters from Studio 100, a Belgian media company that creates children’s television programs. Zachary Laks, Travel + Leisure, 15 May 2026 It’s filled with wacky characters and wild coincidences, but the backdrop of abuse is all too real. Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 15 May 2026 Yet, Maclean’s Taggie, Gart Lamont’s Charles Fairburn and Claire Rushbrook’s turn as Tony’s wife, Lady Monica Baddingham, specifically, are quieter, deeply moving characters. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 May 2026 But these two characters have been at the center of some of the franchise’s most ludicrous moments. Noel Murray, Vulture, 15 May 2026 Oh adds the notion of subsuming Asian-American characters into mainstream white storytelling, or leaving them out as too risky, is hopefully over. Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026 He was stripped of all his honors and titles and banished from public view by the royal family after years of scandal over his money woes and links to questionable characters, including Epstein. Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026 Lily and the other sheep encounter some scary dogs one night, and there are a few tussles between both human and animal characters. Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 8 May 2026
Verb
What would Six Flags look like without its most valuable properties like Looney Tunes and, especially, its DC Comics characters Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman? Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025 KPop Demon Hunters characters Derpy Tiger and Sussie were also featured. Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 28 Nov. 2025 Netflix characters Derpy Tiger and Sussie from KPop Demon Hunters will also join the lineup. Daniel Orton, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characters
Noun
  • Those rules often involve practical limits like no numbers, symbols, extremely long names, or characters that the state system cannot process.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
  • These letters represent symbols of God as the beginning (alpha) and the end (omega).
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 14 May 2026
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
Noun
  • Rashad knows that even now, at this late stage in hip-hop’s evolution, rappers are expected to guard their reputations carefully.
    Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 15 May 2026
  • Popular English-speaking options in Seoul include Eco Jardin and Juno Hair Myeongdong Street, both of which have built reputations for handling international visitors.
    Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 14 May 2026
Noun
  • Jean-Claude Manuguerra, who heads Pasteur's Environment and Infectious Risk unit, said the remaining variation appeared to reflect natural viral variation and did not seem to affect the characteristics of the virus detected among travelers.
    CBS News, CBS News, 16 May 2026
  • Flock Safety's license plate reader technology captures vehicle information, including license plates and vehicle characteristics such as make, model and color on the property.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
Noun
  • Their identities have not been made public.
    Dennis Romero, NBC news, 19 May 2026
  • The identities of the individuals have not been confirmed yet.
    Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 18 May 2026
Noun
  • While challenges to Putin’s rule are still few and far between, the discontent in Russian society — from online personalities with large social media followings to normally robotic-like supporters in the Russian political system — is beginning to bubble up.
    Daniel DePetris, Twin Cities, 15 May 2026
  • Their personas were their personalities.
    Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • In the past couple of decades, however, Czernowin has deëmphasized the frantic gesturing that characterizes so much latter-day modernism.
    Alex Ross, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
  • Wilson’s approach to public life clearly has an element of what professional wrestlers call kayfabe—the winking, performative trollishness that now characterizes the online right.
    Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026
Noun
  • Henares returns to the Philippines after several years in Singapore, having most recently served as head of originals, Philippines for Amazon MGM Studios and previously overseeing Globe Telecom’s studio businesses, including Globe Studios and Anima.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 May 2026
  • In addition to live cable, Hulu + Live TV lets subscribers watch originals from Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN Unlimited.
    Rudie Obias, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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