temper 1 of 2

Definition of tempernext
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temper

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word temper distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of temper are character, disposition, personality, and temperament. While all these words mean "the dominant quality or qualities distinguishing a person or group," temper implies the qualities acquired through experience that determine how a person or group meets difficulties or handles situations.

a resilient temper

When might character be a better fit than temper?

The meanings of character and temper largely overlap; however, character applies to the aggregate of moral qualities by which a person is judged apart from intelligence, competence, or special talents.

strength of character

When could disposition be used to replace temper?

The words disposition and temper can be used in similar contexts, but disposition implies customary moods and attitude toward the life around one.

a cheerful disposition

When is it sensible to use personality instead of temper?

While the synonyms personality and temper are close in meaning, personality applies to an aggregate of qualities that distinguish one as a person.

a somber personality

In what contexts can temperament take the place of temper?

Although the words temperament and temper have much in common, temperament implies a pattern of innate characteristics associated with one's specific physical and nervous organization.

an artistic temperament

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 temper
Noun
Co-regulating your emotions alongside your toddler can help achieve a resolution to conflict without raising your voice or loosing your temper. Sara Rowe Mount, Parents, 26 Jan. 2026 The industry and its cheerleaders pointed the collective finger of blame at the government processes that temper construction. Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 23 Jan. 2026
Verb
As profits reach their apex, investors temper their expectations by lowering the multiple. Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026 Doesn’t hold water At the summit rose one soft but steady voice to temper the investor giddiness. Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 26 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for temper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for temper
Noun
  • That aura of 20th-century glamour was immortalized by Slim Aarons.
    Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 12 Feb. 2026
  • But what about the romantic aura?
    Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Still, Thursday’s vote is being described by many as the first free and fair election in more than a decade, and on the streets of Dhaka, the prevailing mood is one of anticipation.
    Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Where there would once be huge lively crowds gathering in support of Hong Kong’s democracy figures, the mood was subdued and yet at the same time on edge.
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Shields’ job is to take this group of individuals and shape them into a single organism with its own character and temperament.
    David Lyman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Feb. 2026
  • The prickly exchange went viral and prompted bipartisan criticism and questioning of her temperament.
    Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The system will form the backbone of a long-term partnership between FAU and D-Wave, which provides both annealing and gate-model quantum computing platforms.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Jan. 2026
  • The glass sheets spend 45 minutes in a machine called an annealing oven cooling to around 200 degrees.
    Christine Tannous, IndyStar, 13 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Still, real estate experts previously told the Journal Sentinel that prices could moderate in 2026.
    Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 9 Feb. 2026
  • This year’s forum concluded with a panel moderated by Ruby Kim, editor in chief of WWD Korea.
    WWD Staff, Footwear News, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Arquiste’s best-selling Nanban, for instance, conjures the aroma of a 17th-century galleon laden with coffee, leather, and saffron, while L’Or de Louis evokes the atmosphere of an orangerie at Versailles.
    April Long, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Historically, it's been thought these volcanic arcs were the primary culprits of injecting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
    Ben Mather, Space.com, 7 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • To see him in such high spirits, seemingly not dampened by being rested for the final half-hour as Chelsea continue to manage his minutes, was a rare treat.
    Cerys Jones, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2026
  • The spirit and the symbolism were, at times, undecipherable.
    The Know, Denver Post, 8 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Internal affairs investigations are sent to the police chief for final disposition.
    Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Quenneville, who is in his first year with the Ducks, praised LaCombe’s disposition and saw his mild manner matter-of-factly, expressing confidence in his ability to handle the bright lights of the Olympic stage.
    Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 8 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Temper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/temper. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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