description

noun

di-ˈskrip-shən How to pronounce description (audio)
Definition of descriptionnext
1
as in depiction
a vivid representation in words of someone or something we immediately recognized the man from our cousin's description of him

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in type
a number of persons or things that are grouped together because they have something in common fixes small appliances and other things of that description

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word description distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of description are character, kind, nature, sort, and type. While all these words mean "a number of individuals thought of as a group because of a common quality or qualities," description implies a group marked by agreement in all details belonging to a type as described or defined.

not all acts of that description are actually illegal

When might character be a better fit than description?

The meanings of character and description largely overlap; however, character implies a group marked by distinctive likenesses peculiar to the type.

research on the subject so far has been of an elementary character

When could kind be used to replace description?

While the synonyms kind and description are close in meaning, kind may suggest natural grouping.

a zoo seemingly having animals of every kind

When would nature be a good substitute for description?

The words nature and description can be used in similar contexts, but nature may imply inherent, essential resemblance rather than obvious or superficial likenesses.

two problems of a similar nature

When can sort be used instead of description?

In some situations, the words sort and description are roughly equivalent. However, sort often suggests some disparagement.

the sort of newspaper dealing in sensational stories

In what contexts can type take the place of description?

The synonyms type and description are sometimes interchangeable, but type may suggest strong and clearly marked similarity throughout the items included so that each is typical of the group.

one of three basic body types

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 description Pet owners can now provide RLPD with their contact information, pet name and description, rabies tag number, microchip number and photo of their pet. —Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026 But that description is too narrow. —Comfort Ero, Time, 3 Apr. 2026 Culin also consulted with other scholars and collectors to produce his final report 14 years later, which includes over 1,100 illustrations and descriptions of 239 sets of dice from 130 different tribes. —ArsTechnica, 3 Apr. 2026 And Kalshi has specifically mentioned sports betting in some of its descriptions for employment openings. —Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 2 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for description
Recent Examples of Synonyms for description
  1. depiction
  2. portrait
  3. kind
  4. portrayal
  5. sort
  6. picture
  7. stripe
  8. definition
Noun
  • These lofty ambitions have fueled decades of space movies and inspired generations with their depictions of intrepid space voyagers.
    — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 30 Mar. 2026
  • The Royals will get an accurate depiction of their current makeup this weekend.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2026
Definition of depiction
Noun
  • The world demanded a simplified portrait; John provided it, and, after a while, the two merged.
    — Jeffrey Eugenides, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Rector Simon Mainwaring poses for a portrait in the library at Egleston Hall at All Saints' Episcopal Church in Atlanta on Monday, March 23, 2026.
    — Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of portrait
Noun
  • Daisie, 14, full of laughter and positive energy, is a one-of-a-kind personality.
    — The Star April 4, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
  • The district is the first of its kind in the country, home to the densest enclave of Arab Americans in Orange County and more than 100 Arab and Middle East/North African businesses.
    — Victoria Le, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of kind
Noun
  • Conversations between people and land are as alive as human dialogue in these earnest portrayals of gathering and return.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Surrounding Fox’s keen central performance are a number of skilled and sensitive portrayals, in particular Swoosie Kurtz, as a lonely co-worker who is genuinely concerned about her young cohort’s well-being.
    — Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of portrayal
Noun
  • Close partnerships of any sort aren’t always split 50/50, of course — everyone, including you, needs a little extra help sometimes.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026
  • The push also comes at a time when retailers appear to be in a same-day delivery arms race of sorts, with merchants turning to more third-party last-mile delivery services to get products at the consumer’s doorstep faster.
    — Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of sort
Noun
  • With Young looking to earn a long-term extension and push the Panthers forward in the NFC playoff picture, Pickett’s insight and experience could be valuable assets during the upcoming campaign.
    — Mike Kaye March 31, Charlotte Observer, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Well, that definitely paints a vivid picture.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of picture
Noun
  • Those who fly the small, lightweight aircraft of different stripes were restricted for nearly four years from accessing the airport by ground and taking off in their ultralights.
    — Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Some classic stripes feel like a toe-dip into experimenting with more print-centric design, and won’t go out of style anytime soon.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of stripe
Noun
  • This distinction was missing both from popular discourse, the academics felt, and from an influential definition of antisemitism associated with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, which lists numerous examples of antisemitism related to criticism of Israel.
    — Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Churches still rely on earlier calculations of the moon phases as well as its set definition of the spring equinox, which can place Easter on a date different from what is astronomically accurate.
    — Carlie Procell, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026
Definition of definition

Browse Nearby Words

descries
description
descriptions
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Description.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/description. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on description

Nglish: Translation of description for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about description

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