CHARACTERS Synonyms: 218 Similar and Opposite Words

characters 1 of 2

noun

plural of character

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 eccentrics

a person of odd or whimsical habits the junk dealer is certainly a character, but he's as honest as they come

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as in reputations

overall quality as seen or judged by people in general the general character of the business appears to be good

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as in characteristics

something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind one of the distinguishing characters of mammals

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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

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as in personalities

the set of qualities that makes a person, a group of people, or a thing different from others the basic character of the work requires that an employee be able to work quietly and independently

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as in people

a member of the human race you wouldn't believe what kind of characters hang around the bus station

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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

Pair a winning culture of a respected NBA franchise with a top five talent like Giannis Antetokounmpo and blockbuster is supposed to happen, if the main characters stay healthy, everyone buys in, and the sports Gods are kind. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026 Although the book includes a disclaimer that all its characters, apart from a brief appearance by Belmonte, are fictional, its protagonist is transparently based on Manolete, who had been fatally gored in 1947. — Stephen Bates, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026 On select nights the homeowner projects images of Beetlejuice, Cruella de Vil and other characters onto the side of the house. — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026 The lead characters are two pairs of sisters; one set lives in the house in the early 1960s and the other in the contemporary era. — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026 But what sticks is the potential of fanfic narratives, born of the desire to see resonant characters in new dynamics and situations. — Emily Maskell, IndieWire, 22 Oct. 2026 The Dolphins have had a fairly loose locker room all season among colorful personalities such as running back Ollie Gordon II, serious characters such as linebacker Jordyn Brooks, and team leaders such as quarterback Malik Willis. — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026 The Glee reboot should pepper the series with some fun cameos from beloved characters, many of whom got cast in the later shakier seasons, as well as some of the most fun guest stars. — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 22 Oct. 2026 Are the rest of the characters going to pick up the slack in trauma now that Owen and Teddy are gone? — Max Gao, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026

Verb

Jon Favreau tells Entertainment Weekly why Star Wars characters Ahsoka Tano and Thrawn don't make an appearance in The Mandalorian and Grogu. — Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026 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

Wild life patterning featured throughout the dress, with a particular emphasis on feathers that almost seemed reminiscent of the butterfly symbols Dolly Parton embraced all her life.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026
Many were peaceful but some 1,500 shops and many symbols of the state were vandalized, leading to more than 2,000 arrests.

— Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of symbols

Noun

Step inside, though, and you’re transported to a bucolic Britain of rolling hills and village greens, bumbling eccentrics and cute, clever farm animals.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026
The professionalization worked, but at the expense of the site’s internal culture, Cooke argues, as generous eccentrics were displaced by neurotic lovers of rules.

— Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of eccentrics

Noun

The teams combined for just 51 points after halftime, a much better fit for their defensive reputations.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
The two younger actors might not have those lengthy careers but their talent easily justifies their growing reputations (Keery from Stranger Things, Rabe from, among other credits, American Horror Story and a fine roster of stage performances).

— Greg Evans, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of reputations

Noun

One account describes an unusual encounter that raises questions about the object’s flight characteristics and apparent lack of detectable heat.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
Every place has its own unique characteristics and its own unique personality.

— Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of characteristics

Noun

Deputies ask that anyone with information about the crash and shooting, including the identities of those involved or the location of either vehicle, contact the Oakland County Sheriff's Office at 248-858-4950.

— Paula Wethington, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
Two handguns were found at the scene, according to police, who have yet to release the identities of the five deceased individuals.

— Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of identities

Noun

Another 13 people were wounded on downtown Sacramento’s K Street and 10th Street, in what became the deadliest mass shooting in the city’s history.

— Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2026
Organizers say more than 125,000 people are expected throughout the event, bringing in millions of dollars for the local economy.

— Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 19 June 2026

Definition of people

Verb

The younger Paul’s relationship with Braunstein, however, was cold — ever since Les Paul died in 2009 of severe pneumonia complications amid what Gene characterizes as communication issues between Braunstein and the family.

— Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2026
Yet recent rhetoric from City Hall characterizes CARE as a success.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026