characterization
noun
char·ac·ter·i·za·tion
ˌker-ik-t(ə-)rə-ˈzā-shən 
ˌka-rik-
: the act of characterizing
especially
: the artistic representation (as in fiction or drama) of human character or motives
the author's characterization of the boy as someone who wanted to be accepted by others
Examples of characterization in a Sentence
The reporter was criticized for his characterization of the people of the town as poor and uneducated.
News reporting requires accurate characterization.
The class discussed the author's characterization of the boy as someone who wanted to be accepted by others.
The story has good characterization.
Recent Examples on the Web
As such, Netflix has characterized the third season of the hit show, which stars Charlie Hunnam in the titular role, as its most harrowing yet, but director and co-showrunner Max Winkler doesn't agree with that characterization.
—
Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025
Patel, in interviews, declined to support that characterization, but admitted the decision to insert agents after the riot had been declared by police broke FBI standards.
—Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Labels matter Security analysts say the situation in Haiti continues to defy clear international legal characterization and the choice of labels – crisis, armed conflict, gangs, terrorist groups, armed groups, criminal groups, insurgents – carries significant legal and humanitarian implications.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
Capítulo 0 is no DTmF, but that characterization shouldn’t be seen as derogatory.
—Juan J. Arroyo, Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for characterization
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.
Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025
Patel, in interviews, declined to support that characterization, but admitted the decision to insert agents after the riot had been declared by police broke FBI standards.
—Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Labels matter Security analysts say the situation in Haiti continues to defy clear international legal characterization and the choice of labels – crisis, armed conflict, gangs, terrorist groups, armed groups, criminal groups, insurgents – carries significant legal and humanitarian implications.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
Capítulo 0 is no DTmF, but that characterization shouldn’t be seen as derogatory.
—Juan J. Arroyo, Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for characterization
Cite this Entry
“Characterization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/characterization. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
characterization
noun
char·ac·ter·i·za·tion
ˌkar-ik-tə-rə-ˈzā-shən
1
: the act of characterizing
2
: the creation of characters (as in a book or play)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share