characterize
verb
char·ac·ter·ize
ˈker-ik-tə-ˌrīz 
ˈka-rik-
characterized; characterizing
1
: to describe the character (see character entry 1 sense 1a) or quality of
characterizes him as ambitious
2
: to be a characteristic of : distinguish
an era characterized by greed
Synonyms
Examples of characterize in a Sentence
How would you characterize the situation?
I would characterize this as a positive change for our company.
She had difficulty characterizing their relationship.
His personality is hard to characterize.
Farms and large flat fields characterize most of the area.
the beliefs that characterized Europe in the 15th century
Recent Examples on the Web
Male pattern baldness is typically characterized by a receding hairline, and the thinning of hair on the crown.
—
Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 26 Apr. 2024
The company has characterized the law as an infringement on the free speech rights of its users, most of whom use the app for entertainment.
—Didi Tang, Fortune, 26 Apr. 2024
Yet there’s another way to characterize the difference.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 26 Apr. 2024
The axis is ushering in an international system characterized by two orders that are becoming increasingly organized and competitive.
—Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is one of several prion diseases — uncommon neurodegenerative disorders affecting humans that are characterized by an abnormal folding of proteins in the brain, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2024
The tour also spurred an entire subculture characterized by friendship bracelets and sparkly dresses and just a complete celebration of girlhood—and as a result, kids, tweens, and teens fell in love with the brand of Swift.
—Zara Hanawalt, Parents, 19 Apr. 2024
On the exterior, the house is characterized by the use of tar and gravel roofing.
—Bay Area Home Report, The Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2024
General Nguyen Van Thieu emerged as president following the coup, in a reign that was characterized by corruption.
—Nick Hilden, Washington Post, 14 Apr. 2024
Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 26 Apr. 2024
The company has characterized the law as an infringement on the free speech rights of its users, most of whom use the app for entertainment.
—Didi Tang, Fortune, 26 Apr. 2024
Yet there’s another way to characterize the difference.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 26 Apr. 2024
The axis is ushering in an international system characterized by two orders that are becoming increasingly organized and competitive.
—Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is one of several prion diseases — uncommon neurodegenerative disorders affecting humans that are characterized by an abnormal folding of proteins in the brain, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2024
The tour also spurred an entire subculture characterized by friendship bracelets and sparkly dresses and just a complete celebration of girlhood—and as a result, kids, tweens, and teens fell in love with the brand of Swift.
—Zara Hanawalt, Parents, 19 Apr. 2024
On the exterior, the house is characterized by the use of tar and gravel roofing.
—Bay Area Home Report, The Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2024
General Nguyen Van Thieu emerged as president following the coup, in a reign that was characterized by corruption.
—Nick Hilden, Washington Post, 14 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'characterize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near characterize
Cite this Entry
“Characterize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/characterize. Accessed 2 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
characterize
verb
char·ac·ter·ize
ˈkar-ik-tə-ˌrīz
characterized; characterizing
1
: to point out the character of an individual or group : describe
characterize him as ambitious
2
: to be characteristic of
tragic endings characterized her stories
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