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
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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 plan, which Democrats characterized as a good-faith offer to Republicans, would codify a one-year extension of health care subsidies that are set to expire at the start of 2026, raising premiums for millions of Americans.
—
Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
China has deployed and tested hypersonic glide vehicles and road-mobile systems, such as the DF-17/DF-ZF family, which are typically characterized as gliding at Mach 5–10 and designed to complicate missile-defense engagement.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2025
The Department of Education characterized these moves as necessary to prevent unsustainable borrowing and rising tuition costs.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
The policy change affecting Ocean Beach was characterized by city officials as amending the municipal code to simply clarify what was already allowed.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for characterize
Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
China has deployed and tested hypersonic glide vehicles and road-mobile systems, such as the DF-17/DF-ZF family, which are typically characterized as gliding at Mach 5–10 and designed to complicate missile-defense engagement.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2025
The Department of Education characterized these moves as necessary to prevent unsustainable borrowing and rising tuition costs.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
The policy change affecting Ocean Beach was characterized by city officials as amending the municipal code to simply clarify what was already allowed.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for characterize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characterize
Verb
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The only real attempt in this episode to describe the difficulty of Maia’s position as Tallulah’s manager comes from Maia’s chirpy co-worker (Lauren Holt, a treat every time).—
Caroline Framke,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
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During the week, Aluko had described lying in bed at the height of the controversy, depressed and unable to eat.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The cut roofline helps distinguish it from the larger Polestar 3, which has a long, level roof for a traditional SUV profile.—
Mark Phelan,
USA Today,
10 Nov. 2025
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This helps people distinguish their own speech from external sounds.—
Hannah Seo,
Scientific American,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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At first glance, Grace resembles the type of mothers who have become a dominant cinematic presence in recent years—women portrayed as troubled about being a caregiver.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
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There’s no way to trick him into portraying the right levels of fear and anxiety and sadness.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Millennials, typically defined as individuals born between the early 1980s and the mid-1990s, are now at a point in their lives where their generational nostalgia is front and center.—
Saba Hamedy,
NBC news,
7 Nov. 2025
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The next two years will test how well Republicans can walk that line, using Mamdani to define the left without letting Newsom define himself.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Characterize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characterize. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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