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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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of characterize
In a market often characterized by part-time hosts, low-barrier tech platforms, and high-cost management services, FIBI Vacation Rentals positions itself as an operator built by investors, for investors.
—
Matt Emma, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Developer Arrowhead has characterized the game as a satire.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
See new species A new species of coral, Iridogorgia chewbacca, was discovered near the Mariana Trench and the Hawaiian Islands, characterized by its long, spiraling structures and iridescent appearance.
—Real-Time News Team, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
Also known as ratfish or chimaeras, ghost sharks are deep-sea fish characterized by their green, glowing eyes and shimmering bodies, typically measuring around two feet in length.
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for characterize
Matt Emma, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Developer Arrowhead has characterized the game as a satire.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
See new species A new species of coral, Iridogorgia chewbacca, was discovered near the Mariana Trench and the Hawaiian Islands, characterized by its long, spiraling structures and iridescent appearance.
—Real-Time News Team, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
Also known as ratfish or chimaeras, ghost sharks are deep-sea fish characterized by their green, glowing eyes and shimmering bodies, typically measuring around two feet in length.
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for characterize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characterize
Verb
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More importantly, Penske also describes this dynamic as antitrust behavior from a company abusing what the federal government has already described as Google’s monopoly status in the realm of Internet search.—
Andy Meek,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Three people present described the manner of the two strangers as detached and off-putting, and said their story just did not add up.—
Denver Nicks,
Rolling Stone,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Code does not distinguish between voluntary and involuntary expatriation.—
Virginia La Torre Jeker,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Its data did not distinguish between civilians and combatants.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While some Hamas apologists have portrayed the word as benign, its real meaning is undeniably violent — and not just for Israelis.—
Sean Durns,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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Somehow, they’re portrayed as heroic trials of love, requiring sacrifice, trust and resilience.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Among them were countless era-defining releases that are still among the best movies ever made—of any genre—from the haunting Rebecca to the gripping Rear Window, and the ravishing Vertigo to the hair-raising Psycho.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
13 Sep. 2025
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Internally, the current workspace contained not only the visible text documents but also any custom words the user added to the dictionary and any additional tForth words defined in memory.—
Cameron Kaiser,
ArsTechnica,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Characterize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characterize. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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