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
It’s characterized by an intense fascination, often leading to unhealthy behaviors such as the compulsive seeking of information, and, at its very worst, stalking.
—
Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2025
Snoring and sleep apnea are keeping you up Loud snoring, waking up gasping or experiencing dry mouth upon waking may indicate sleep apnea, a condition characterized by interrupted breathing during sleep.
—Dr. Samanta Dall’agnese, CNBC, 13 May 2025
Only 36 percent characterized current business conditions as favorable, down from 42 percent during the previous quarter, and only 41 percent believe revenue will increase during the next 12 months (an 11-percent drop from the first quarter).
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 12 May 2025
At the heart of the issue is a leadership style characterized by a culture of fear, comparison and uncertainty.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 11 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for characterize
Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2025
Snoring and sleep apnea are keeping you up Loud snoring, waking up gasping or experiencing dry mouth upon waking may indicate sleep apnea, a condition characterized by interrupted breathing during sleep.
—Dr. Samanta Dall’agnese, CNBC, 13 May 2025
Only 36 percent characterized current business conditions as favorable, down from 42 percent during the previous quarter, and only 41 percent believe revenue will increase during the next 12 months (an 11-percent drop from the first quarter).
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 12 May 2025
At the heart of the issue is a leadership style characterized by a culture of fear, comparison and uncertainty.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 11 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for characterize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characterize
Verb
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Over hours of harrowing testimony, Cassie described acquiescing to Diddy.—
Victoria Bekiempis,
Vulture,
13 May 2025
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Meanwhile, the article also described Bezos as choosing to accompany Sanchez to glitzy events or on luxury European vacations rather than to be present for the chaos that some of his decisions have unleashed at the Washington Post.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
13 May 2025
Verb
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The institutional medical setting becomes the background for a tale that doesn’t finely distinguish between memory and imagination, one realm bleeding freely into the next.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2025
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In this stage, RSV can be hard to distinguish from the common cold or other respiratory viruses like COVID-19 or influenza.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
8 May 2025
Verb
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Why is she being portrayed as silly and incompetent?—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
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Natalie Portman will portray Franklin in a screen version of Photograph 51 directed by Tom Hooper.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
19 May 2025
Verb
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Around the world, access to finance remains a persistent form of inequality—defined not only by whether people can open bank accounts, but by whether they are treated fairly within the system.—
Christopher Marquis,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
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Morrison, along with the Doors, were early pioneers of the psychedelic blues-rock that would define the late 1960s and early 1970s.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Characterize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characterize. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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