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 Even though Lee opted for the Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress in an extra firm, don’t let the bed’s description fool you. —Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 6 Feb. 2026 Nor are Reinsve’s characters in the two films remotely alike, save for them both being performers of some description. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 5 Feb. 2026 Witnesses provided a description of the suspect’s vehicle, and officers were able to locate it and perform a traffic stop shortly after the shooting. —Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026 Detailed descriptions of the suspects and the vehicle, believed to be a Lexus, were not released. —Harry Harris, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 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
  • Following the movie’s Sundance premiere last year, Sweeney spoke to Deadline about creating a messy, relatable depiction of a gay character through Dennis.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Gone with the Wind earned Margaret Mitchell the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1937, though many themes of the book are recognized as problematic today, including racist and stereotypical depictions of Black characters and the glorifications of slavery and the Civil War.
    — Amanda Favazza, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of depiction
Noun
  • Written like a field research journal, Emily Wilde is a clever and charming portrait of a scientist on a journey toward discovery, hard at work in the field and stumbling toward love, all at the same time.
    — Brianne Kane, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2026
  • The finale, which focuses on a single subject (obsessed with and thus defensive of his own public nudity), comes closest to escaping a steady stream of antagonization and painting a nuanced portrait of what’s keeping a range of Americans from finding community.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of portrait
Noun
  • The arbitrator was moved by his story but ruled against him anyway, denying him his last chance for a win of any kind at this year’s Olympics.
    — Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Returning on her sixth studio album, To Whom It May Concern, the Philadelphia native brings in immeasurable wisdom, blossoming into the effortless positivity and authenticity of past albums—the kind that has assisted multiple generations on their respective healing journeys.
    — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of kind
Noun
  • Jennifer Hudson, who won an Academy Award for her portrayal of Effie White in Bill Condon’s 2006 film adaptation of the musical Dreamgirls, is joining the producing team of the stage revival heading to Broadway this fall.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The portrayal has been widely denounced as racist, with some Republican lawmakers also slamming the video.
    — Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of portrayal
Noun
  • Hong Chau is a great choice for the adult Nelly, a quietly resentful sort who causes more friction in Cathy and Heathcliff's tempestuous situation.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Both said they have not been involved in any planning of that sort.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of sort
Noun
  • Written and performed Kentucky natives Nick Jamerson and Kris Bentley, the this song is love note to Kentucky which paints a nostalgic picture of familiar landscapes like old barns, tobacco patches, and the specific, winding journey of the Kentucky Mountain Parkway.
    — Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Oliver Weiken—picture alliance/Getty Images As the top-scoring qualifier, Gremaud was the final competitor to take her first turn, following Gu.
    — Sean Gregory, Time, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of picture
Noun
  • In the third group, six 6-foot-tall paintings on canvas titled Split-screen, the colored stripes multiply and invade the black-and-white space above, creating overlapping layers.
    — Benjamin Lima, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The lightweight, black satiny nylon jacket featured ruched velvet stripes and a boned ruffle around the neck, a tie belt and a zip front.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of stripe
Noun
  • Within this context, the central flaw of the quota/preference (DEI) supporters has always been their misguided definition of justice in terms of group outcomes, rather than individual cases.
    — Bradley Gitz, Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
  • During that hearing, BGE lobbyist Brittany Jones indicated that a substantial number of the company’s employees could come under the purview of the bill, because its broad definition of compensation included not only wages, but bonuses and other benefits.
    — Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 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 15 Feb. 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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