as in characteristics
something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind
honesty is one of her defining traits
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of traits
The American Culture Quiz is a weekly test of our unique national traits, trends, history and people — including current events and the sights and sounds of the United States.
—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
5 July 2026
Despite numerous myths, a cat's fur color does not impact its personality traits.
—
Madeline Gunderson,
USA Today,
5 July 2026
Contemporary psychology inherited the same concept and gave it a clinical label, self-regulation, but kept its place among the small set of traits considered foundational to human character.
—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2026
By eliminating your class and your ethnicity, your natural talents and weaknesses, from consideration, the veil reminds you that those traits are beyond your control, making fairness an incentive.
—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
4 July 2026
Embrace Heirloom Plants Lowrie says Terrain customers have increasingly embraced heirloom plant varieties with long-flowering traits.
—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 July 2026
The team created computer models that mapped out the existing data on bird coloration and other traits.
—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
2 July 2026
Those traits can certainly be found in the Dolphins’ draft class.
—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
26 June 2026
The physical traits are obvious.
—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
25 June 2026
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
5 July 2026
Despite numerous myths, a cat's fur color does not impact its personality traits.
—
Madeline Gunderson,
USA Today,
5 July 2026
Contemporary psychology inherited the same concept and gave it a clinical label, self-regulation, but kept its place among the small set of traits considered foundational to human character.
—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2026
By eliminating your class and your ethnicity, your natural talents and weaknesses, from consideration, the veil reminds you that those traits are beyond your control, making fairness an incentive.
—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
4 July 2026
Embrace Heirloom Plants Lowrie says Terrain customers have increasingly embraced heirloom plant varieties with long-flowering traits.
—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 July 2026
The team created computer models that mapped out the existing data on bird coloration and other traits.
—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
2 July 2026
Those traits can certainly be found in the Dolphins’ draft class.
—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
26 June 2026
The physical traits are obvious.
—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
25 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for traits
Noun
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Due to her limited knowledge of the lore, there were characteristics that guided her transformation.
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Three months later, the Supreme Court voted to allow immigration agents to stop people based on racial or ethnic characteristics while still-ongoing litigation against it proceeded.
Noun
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All three qualities are on display in a weekend retreat the firm designed on Shelter Island, a bucolic haven wedged between Long Island’s North and South Forks, just up the road from The Hamptons.
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In his press conferences, the Scot spoke about the different qualities — the speed and direct play — the Englishman brought to the table.
Noun
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These attributes feel increasingly resonant for the fashion industry, whose demands have only continued to expand due to the churn of seasonal, pre-seasonal, resort, special collaborations, and capsule collections.
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As a 6-foot-6 lefty who can follow a game plan, Peterson has several of the attributes that the Cubs typically look for.
Noun
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Update to the latest version to see all Vogue content, as well as new features like our Runway Genius quiz, Group Chats, and posts from Vogue contributors.
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Organizing Elements To really put your mudroom over the top, consider incorporating features that help make organizing your home easier.
Noun
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The work has bounced between several attributions over the years before scholar Giuseppe Porzio identified it as a painting by Glielmo, giving bidders a fresh reason to take notice.
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Political discussions on social media are often dominated by competing attributions of more and more insidious motives to people on the other side.
Cite this Entry
“Traits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/traits. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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