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
Then there’s India’s music market, which is characterized by high consumption but lagging monetization.
—
Andrew Wallenstein, Variety, 13 Mar. 2026
Noboa characterized the action as suspicious because diplomatic documents have international protections.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2026
Ups and downs have characterized Lafrenière’s 2025-26 season.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
It's characterized by a creamy, neutral taste and typically uses vegetable oil.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for characterize
Andrew Wallenstein, Variety, 13 Mar. 2026
Noboa characterized the action as suspicious because diplomatic documents have international protections.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2026
Ups and downs have characterized Lafrenière’s 2025-26 season.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
It's characterized by a creamy, neutral taste and typically uses vegetable oil.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for characterize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characterize
Verb
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Running through Reiner's pantheon of successful films, Crystal described a vibrant artist and passionate activist whose wit and comedy delighted audiences for decades.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
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Foundation unveiled the Phantom Mk-I in October 2025, describing it as a humanoid robot designed specifically for military use.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But other bolt-holes stand out for giving the beds themselves extra attention, distinguishing them in some particularly charming or even surreal way (see beds carved out of literal ice).—
Kathryn Romeyn,
Architectural Digest,
9 Mar. 2026
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In early life, this tissue exposes developing immune cells to intestinal microbes, helping the body learn to distinguish between harmless symbionts and harmful pathogens.—
Lilia Goncharova,
The Conversation,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In the film, Buckley portrays William Shakespeare's wife, who grapples with grief after losing their son, Hamnet, to the plague.—
Angeline Jane Bernabe,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
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With his leading-man looks nerded down with spectacles, science T-shirts and a planet Earth hacky sack, Gosling portrays Grace as a teacher way out of his element amid hardcore NASA types.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Steyer has spent millions of his own money on ads defining himself and, in recent weeks, attacking Swalwell for missing congressional votes.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
13 Mar. 2026
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Burnout, distraction and cognitive fatigue are becoming defining challenges of the digital era.—
Elan Gepner-Dales,
Rolling Stone,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Characterize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characterize. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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