Synonyms of character

character 1 of 2

noun

ˈker-ik-tər 

1

as in self

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• self
• personality
• nature
• tone
• colors
• constitution
• characteristic
• clay
• complexion
• genius
• trait
• disposition
• spirit
• composition
• feature
• temperament
• property
• essence
• attribute
• individuality
• uniqueness
• flavor
• sort
• soul
• temper
• grain
• habit
• stamp
• distinctiveness
• interior
• substance
• makeup
• distinctness
• singularity
• hallmark
• way
• mark
• metal
• point
• stuff
• essentiality
• interiority
• savor
• earmark

2

as in symbol

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• symbol
• sign
• glyph
• letter
• icon
• cipher
• numeral
• hieroglyph
• rune
• pictogram
• pictograph
• ideogram

3

as in morality

conduct that conforms to an accepted standard of right and wrong

we need more people of sound character in public office

Synonyms & Similar Words

• morality
• integrity
• virtue
• goodness
• honesty
• morals
• ethics
• rightness
• righteousness
• rectitude
• uprightness
• honor
• decency
• virtuousness
• probity
• fitness
• scrupulousness
• incorruptibility
• appropriateness
• etiquette
• decorum
• scrupulosity
• correctness
• propriety
• irreproachability
• high-mindedness
• irreproachableness
• decorousness
• seemliness
• right-mindedness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• evil
• villainy
• badness
• sin
• immorality
• wickedness
• degradation
• iniquity
• evildoing
• indiscretion
• impropriety
• perversion
• sinfulness
• indecency
• depravity
• degeneracy
• indecorum
• dishonesty
• debauchery
• crookedness
• viciousness
• meanness
• unscrupulousness
• vileness
• corruption
• lowness
• pervertedness
• underhandedness

4

as in reputation

overall quality as seen or judged by people in general

the general character of the business appears to be good

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reputation
• repute
• name
• fame
• report
• rep
• odor
• note
• mark
• credit
• image
• notoriety
• honor
• persona
• renown
• celebrity
• admiration
• reverence
• regard

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• shame
• dishonor
• disgrace
• reproach
• infamy
• discredit
• disrepute
• odium
• ignominy
• opprobrium
• obloquy

5

as in characteristic

something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind

one of the distinguishing characters of mammals

Synonyms & Similar Words

• characteristic
• trait
• feature
• quality
• attribute
• attribution
• property
• criterion
• hallmark
• peculiarity
• marker
• specific
• affection
• stamp
• mark
• fingerprint
• symbol
• touch
• particularity
• point
• note
• indication
• sign
• diagnostic
• differentia
• emblem
• virtue
• token
• charm
• badge
• merit
• grace
• individuality
• uniqueness
• eccentricity
• excellence
• singularity
• idiosyncrasy
• quirk
• oddity

6

as in identity

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• identity
• personality
• individuality
• selfhood
• individualism
• uniqueness
• distinctiveness
• self-identity
• temperament
• singularity
• idiosyncrasy
• peculiarity
• oneness
• nature
• separateness
• humor
• singleness
• disposition
• temper
• independence

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• conformity
• conventionality

7

as in person

a member of the human race

you wouldn't believe what kind of characters hang around the bus station

Synonyms & Similar Words

• person
• life
• man
• guy
• creature
• individual
• human
• thing
• personality
• soul
• bird
• body
• sort
• being
• fish
• customer
• specimen
• duck
• party
• baby
• human being
• egg
• scout
• cookie
• personage
• face
• devil
• mortal
• bod
• son of man
• wight
• fellow
• head
• stiff
• slob
• brother
• self
• neighbor
• somebody
• celebrity
• humanoid
• hominid
• homo
• fellowman

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• animal
• brute
• beast
• critter
• beastie

8

as in eccentric

a person of odd or whimsical habits

the junk dealer is certainly a character, but he's as honest as they come

Synonyms & Similar Words

• eccentric
• original
• piece of work
• nut
• maverick
• bohemian
• rarity
• crank
• oddball
• weirdo
• flake
• screwball
• fruitcake
• zany
• head case
• wacko
• crackpot
• quiz
• codger
• loony
• nutcase
• oddity
• nutter
• kook
• odd duck
• loon
• crack
• freak
• crackbrain
• nonconformist
• geezer
• coot
• curio
• quixote
• fantast
• fantastico

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sheep
• follower
• conformer
• conformist

character

2 of 2

verb

as in to characterize

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• characterize
• describe
• portray
• define
• represent
• depict
• identify
• type
• classify
• indicate
• categorize
• specify
• color
• name
• stamp
• pigeonhole
• mark
• distinguish
• individualize
• particularize

Synonym Chooser

How is the word character different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of character are attribute, property, and quality. While all these words mean "an intelligible feature by which a thing may be identified," character applies to a peculiar and distinctive quality of a thing or a class.

remarks of an unseemly character

When might attribute be a better fit than character?

The words attribute and character can be used in similar contexts, but attribute implies a quality ascribed to a thing or a being.

the attributes of a military hero

When can property be used instead of character?

The synonyms property and character are sometimes interchangeable, but property implies a characteristic that belongs to a thing's essential nature and may be used to describe a type or species.

the property of not conducting heat

In what contexts can quality take the place of character?

The meanings of quality and character largely overlap; however, quality is a general term applicable to any trait or characteristic whether individual or generic.

material with a silky quality

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of character

Noun

Casting follows from how each character will be framed in that space, and light comes after that. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026

Not only are those objectively terrible ideas, but chains of title put guardrails on what studios can do with many iconic characters. — Brent Lang, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2026

Comedy is an engine for turning fear into joy, and few characters in the popular imagination are as synonymous with fear as Darth Vader. — John Roy, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2026

But every character here feels original and individual, even a pair of seeming villains introduced halfway through. — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Phrases Containing character

• character assassination