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
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.
Recent Examples of characterize
Before that, the hominin diet was characterized by breadth — tubers, seeds, fruits, insects, meat, marrow — shifting with seasons, geography and opportunity.
—
Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
Rush was arrested by the FBI on May 19 after an internal CIA investigation uncovered what officials characterized as potential criminal misconduct.
—Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2026
Near the end of the play, Majok’s script becomes, like Mann’s score, flatter and broader in its messaging, losing some of its sharpness of observation, and the humor that characterizes Kaysen’s memoir fades.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 5 June 2026
The legendary musician opened up about living with inclusion body myositis (IBM), which, according to Johns Hopkins, is an inflammatory muscle-wasting disease characterized by progressive muscle weakness.
—Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 5 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for characterize
Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
Rush was arrested by the FBI on May 19 after an internal CIA investigation uncovered what officials characterized as potential criminal misconduct.
—Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2026
Near the end of the play, Majok’s script becomes, like Mann’s score, flatter and broader in its messaging, losing some of its sharpness of observation, and the humor that characterizes Kaysen’s memoir fades.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 5 June 2026
The legendary musician opened up about living with inclusion body myositis (IBM), which, according to Johns Hopkins, is an inflammatory muscle-wasting disease characterized by progressive muscle weakness.
—Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 5 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for characterize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characterize
Verb
-
Oh, to live in a room filled with the objects described by Katherine Mansfield.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
-
But few would describe this year’s ragtag selection of new musicals as robust.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Evette has seen a noticeable boost in polling since the May 29 endorsement, which appears to have distinguished her from the rest of the herd.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
-
Ortega has worked to elevate Zara’s brand beyond fast fashion, through a series of creative collaborations and a stronger focus on design, helping the group distinguish itself from a growing wave of fast-fashion competitors.—
Sam Birchall,
Fortune,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
But the upside of this Carsley erasure is that the show can portray a smooth transition from Southgate straight to Tuchel.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
-
Frémaux also drew attention to Hans Zischler, who portrays Thomas Mann in the film.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
British artist David Hockney, considered one of the most influential and defining figures in contemporary art, whose paintings captured the world in brilliant color, has died aged 88, his publicist announced Friday.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
-
For cities and counties, population growth is universally seen as a metric that defines success.—
Christopher Briem,
The Conversation,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Characterize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characterize. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
