Definition of personalitynext
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Synonym Chooser

How is the word personality distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of personality are character, disposition, temperament, and temper. While all these words mean "the dominant quality or qualities distinguishing a person or group," personality applies to an aggregate of qualities that distinguish one as a person.

a somber personality

When is it sensible to use character instead of personality?

Although the words character and personality have much in common, character applies to the aggregate of moral qualities by which a person is judged apart from intelligence, competence, or special talents.

strength of character

In what contexts can disposition take the place of personality?

In some situations, the words disposition and personality are roughly equivalent. However, disposition implies customary moods and attitude toward the life around one.

a cheerful disposition

When would temper be a good substitute for personality?

While in some cases nearly identical to personality, temper implies the qualities acquired through experience that determine how a person or group meets difficulties or handles situations.

a resilient temper

When is temperament a more appropriate choice than personality?

The words temperament and personality can be used in similar contexts, but 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 personality Best Way Day Area Rug Deals Décor is the final touch that adds personality to a home, and nothing brings décor together like an area rug. Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026 The diner has earned fans among chefs and food personalities, including Bill Oakley and restaurateur Greg Denton. Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026 Last year Payton Tolle’s big league debut was one of the highlights of the season, as the gigantic left-hander with a mustache as big as his personality went toe-to-toe with Pittsburgh Pirates phenom Paul Skenes and struck out eight in a memorable Friday night showdown. Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026 Service sector roles require a lifelike presence and personality. Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for personality
Recent Examples of Synonyms for personality
Noun
  • Rebecca Morin The White House Correspondents Association, a nonprofit member organization of journalists who cover the presidency, hosts an annual dinner each year that brings together members of the press, lawmakers and celebrities.
    Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2026
  • And just as celebrity hairstylist SherriAnn Cole recently advised in Vogue, Clarke resisted the common urge to match her brows to her new blonde hair.
    Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Police said the victim, whose identity was not released, was on vacation with two family members from the Unterallgäu region of Germany.
    Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Davis allegedly tried to grab the 8-year-old girl, whose identity is yet to be publicly released, by the child's hair to pull her into a car, Fox 26 and Fresno Bee report, citing Fresno police.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • And what could be more defensive and self-aggrandizing than choosing a weaker person to pick on, to transfer all of one’s anxieties to, and then to harm for daring to comply?
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
  • It’s taken me years to be able to overcome that psychology of self-loathing and victimhood.
    Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The president has spent a decade calling his rivals communists and traitors, among other hyperbolic insults.
    Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
  • According to Politico, the conversation was nothing but a tirade of insults.
    Tom Jurkowsky, Baltimore Sun, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • But what exactly happens to these baby stars next isn't always clear (literally) because they are buried deep within clouds of dark, dusty gas that obscure them.
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Sudeikis stars and executive produces alongside Brendan Hunt, Joe Kelly, Jane Becker, Jamie Lee, and Bill Wrubel.
    Brian Welk, IndieWire, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • This trio of characters is new to the franchise, though the biggest shift — in addition to seeing Rimura and company in breezy beachwear — is the focus on series mainstay Gobta (Ryan Reynolds; Asuna Tomari).
    Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 1 May 2026
  • The series has attracted attention for, among other things, the size of Ilya’s ass, which, in MarcAurele’s adaptation, is its own character.
    Dan Stahl, New Yorker, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • Charles, who is well-known for his love of nature and the importance of sustainability, fed chickens in a coop together with the kids.
    Emma Caughlan, NBC news, 30 Apr. 2026
  • The actor and hairstylist was questioned extensively by Blumberg about her dynamic with Weinstein and is expected to face a grilling about its complicated nature when cross-examination begins.
    Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Played with blistering sarcasm by Emily Blunt, the high-strung Runway magazine assistant had many of the most crackling one-liners in the original 2006 film.
    Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
  • My reaction was pure confusion, sarcasm and not ill intended.
    Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Personality.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/personality. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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