1
as in to describe
to point out the chief quality or qualities of an individual or group
how would you characterize the mission of this environmental organization?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to distinguish
to be an important feature of
an unsightly rash characterizes chicken pox
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of characterize
The emerging personality type is being used to characterize people who feel like outsiders to the traditional categories.
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Sam Woodward,
USA Today,
26 June 2026
Resilience characterizes many young basketball players at SCC Dixon said.
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Nicole Gregory,
Oc Register,
25 June 2026
The unidentified patient was granted access to the drug following diagnoses of refractory obesity with obstructive sleep apnea as well as pulmonary hypertension, a disease characterized by high blood pressure in the lungs, which can be life-threatening, according to The New Republic.
—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
25 June 2026
The conflict in the Carolina backcountry was intense, characterized by a brutal struggle that often pitted neighbor against neighbor, and family member against family member.
—
Caitlin McGlade,
Charlotte Observer,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for characterize
Sam Woodward,
USA Today,
26 June 2026
Resilience characterizes many young basketball players at SCC Dixon said.
—
Nicole Gregory,
Oc Register,
25 June 2026
The unidentified patient was granted access to the drug following diagnoses of refractory obesity with obstructive sleep apnea as well as pulmonary hypertension, a disease characterized by high blood pressure in the lungs, which can be life-threatening, according to The New Republic.
—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
25 June 2026
The conflict in the Carolina backcountry was intense, characterized by a brutal struggle that often pitted neighbor against neighbor, and family member against family member.
—
Caitlin McGlade,
Charlotte Observer,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for characterize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characterize
Verb
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Tribes describe the last of three waves of European incursions, nearly 85 years after Serra hung the first Mission bell in San Diego in 1769, as the most brutal.
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Rodríguez described scenes of children hospitalized with amputations and survivors grieving multiple family deaths.
Verb
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Weather became a way to distinguish Elle from those around her in Seattle.
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Kelce spotlighting Swift’s intelligence A true golden retriever boyfriend distinguishes himself by appreciating his partner’s smarts.
Verb
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Matty Matheson, who portrays Neil Fak and serves as the show’s culinary consultant, initially believed taking props was off limits after receiving an email asking to refrain from removing anything from the show.
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Winkler portrayed his iconic character for all 11 seasons of the ABC sitcom, which originally aired from 1974 to 1984.
Verb
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As a coastal town shaped by generations of immigrants, Half Moon Bay now has a new art display that serves as a reminder of the people and stories that continue to define the community.
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In the absence of an official investigation, the incident last September has been magnified, and perhaps embellished, in the minds of veterans living on the campus, a community defined by the vulnerability of physical disability, substance use and trauma.
Cite this Entry
“Characterize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characterize. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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