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
Granville Ganter, an associate professor of English and a member of the AAUP bargaining team, said, characterizing the university’s response.
—
Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 20 Feb. 2026
Thill characterized the program benefit as a loan that would have to be paid back in 10 years.
—Alan Kozeluh, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
The track grapples with his struggle to process a drive-by shooting that nearly took his life and offered a glimpse at his artistry to come, characterized by his raw, unflinching lyrics.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Feb. 2026
In the early years of the Soviet Union, Konstantin Vaginov wrote fiction and poetry characterized by a sense of doubleness, ambiguity, and perverse humor.
—Sophie Pinkham, The New York Review of Books, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for characterize
Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 20 Feb. 2026
Thill characterized the program benefit as a loan that would have to be paid back in 10 years.
—Alan Kozeluh, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
The track grapples with his struggle to process a drive-by shooting that nearly took his life and offered a glimpse at his artistry to come, characterized by his raw, unflinching lyrics.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Feb. 2026
In the early years of the Soviet Union, Konstantin Vaginov wrote fiction and poetry characterized by a sense of doubleness, ambiguity, and perverse humor.
—Sophie Pinkham, The New York Review of Books, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for characterize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characterize
Verb
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Since 2015, the median age of an Economist subscriber has risen from 51 to 61, according to figures shared at a recent meeting and described to Semafor by two people.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
23 Feb. 2026
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When 250-million-year-old fossil remains were first described in 1972, they were thought to belong to a single species of marine amphibian, Erythrobatrachus noonkanbahensis.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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He is nonetheless favored to win the Republican primary over the four-term senator John Cornyn, who has distinguished himself chiefly by serving four terms.—
Tad Friend,
New Yorker,
23 Feb. 2026
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Bridges fall when engineers can’t distinguish varieties of physical strength; what’s lost if people can’t distinguish varieties of character strength?—
Timothy J. Pawl,
The Conversation,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Breeds portrays a Hollywood performer whose career struggles prompt a return to her Australian island home, where unresolved family conflicts stemming from a romantic entanglement await her.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2026
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Jackson and his supporters sought to portray him as King’s natural successor in the civil rights arena.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy approached bags with the same consideration that defined the rest of her wardrobe.—
Julia Rabinowitsch,
Vogue,
20 Feb. 2026
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While emotional awareness is a strength, kids also need guidance so feelings and diagnoses inform them, not define them.—
Beth Ann Mayer,
Parents,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Characterize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characterize. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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