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
The exhibition, to be held from June 18 until Sept. 28, retraces the history of Made in Italy through over 50 garments, accessories, and audiovisual and photographic contributions, highlighting the textile innovation, aesthetic research and commercial strategies that characterized this period.
—
Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 17 June 2025
Nearly two thirds were characterized as convicted or accused of serious crimes.
—Casey Tolan, CNN Money, 16 June 2025
Following deep sleep, REM sleep is the next critical phase of sleep cycles, characterized by more dreaming that’s also extra vivid and lifelike, and by faster heart rate and breathing.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 8 June 2025
Kirn characterized the foreword as a kind of ideological overreach.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for characterize
Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 17 June 2025
Nearly two thirds were characterized as convicted or accused of serious crimes.
—Casey Tolan, CNN Money, 16 June 2025
Following deep sleep, REM sleep is the next critical phase of sleep cycles, characterized by more dreaming that’s also extra vivid and lifelike, and by faster heart rate and breathing.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 8 June 2025
Kirn characterized the foreword as a kind of ideological overreach.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for characterize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characterize
Verb
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The album name had been rattling around her brain for months, born out of years of experiences trying to find the right combination of words to describe her sound to other people, particularly the American media.—
Cat Cardenas,
Rolling Stone,
30 June 2025
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Leavitt described the facility's remote location in her briefing on Monday.—
Michelle Stoddart,
ABC News,
30 June 2025
Verb
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But protesters said President Trump’s decision is symbolic of America’s role in Israel’s broader retaliatory military campaign, one that’s killed more than 55,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.—
Lila Hempel-Edgers,
Charlotte Observer,
27 June 2025
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Lawyers are expected to distinguish between sound arguments and narcissistic wordplay.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 June 2025
Verb
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Oh Ae-sun (played by K-pop superstar IU, who also portrays Ae-sun’s daughter Geum-myeong) is a poor but ambitious girl who grows up on South Korea’s Jeju Island in the 1950s and 1960s.—
Regina Kim,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
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The company aimed to portray someone overcoming obstacles to achieve their dream.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
Verb
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Feet Above Ground is locally defined as feet above the Highest Astronomical Tide or HAT.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
25 June 2025
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Norton has long championed legislation to grant the District of Columbia full congressional representation and greater autonomy, a cause that has defined much of her tenure in the House.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Characterize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characterize. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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