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
McManis and Peterson also pushed back on the idea that the prospect of a retrial, should the case be thrown out on RJA grounds, would be as formidable as the prosecution characterized.
—
Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2026
Presence of stones Classified as a thescelosaurid, this bipedal dinosaur was part of a lineage found across East Asia and North America, potentially characterized by a fuzzy exterior.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 Mar. 2026
The Hideout also closed for a couple of months beginning in November 2022 after former program director Mykele Deville issued a social media post characterizing the venue as a toxic workplace.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
Spontaneity and naturalism characterize much of the album, even on songs by artists not necessarily known for those qualities.
—Hannah Jocelyn, Pitchfork, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for characterize
Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2026
Presence of stones Classified as a thescelosaurid, this bipedal dinosaur was part of a lineage found across East Asia and North America, potentially characterized by a fuzzy exterior.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 Mar. 2026
The Hideout also closed for a couple of months beginning in November 2022 after former program director Mykele Deville issued a social media post characterizing the venue as a toxic workplace.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
Spontaneity and naturalism characterize much of the album, even on songs by artists not necessarily known for those qualities.
—Hannah Jocelyn, Pitchfork, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for characterize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characterize
Verb
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Police released images of the suspect described as a man between 40 and 49 years of age, about 5-feet-9 to 5-feet-10, weighing about 150 pounds.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
23 Mar. 2026
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Liz’s view The world Fink describes is a less efficient and more expensive one.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Against that backdrop, Emanuel has distinguished himself by issuing a series of proposals that often address issues at the center of the Democratic debate.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Mar. 2026
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Against that backdrop, Emanuel has distinguished himself by issuing a series of proposals that often address issues at the center of the Democratic debate.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Federal authorities allege in an indictment that the images portrayed of dogs raised and offered for sale at the Giant German Shepherd Ranch in Hopkins County were a disguise for a place where, instead, cruelty and neglect were rampant.—
J.D. Miles,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
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Quickly afterward, though, came the denials from Iran about talks, while Iran's semiofficial Fars and Tasnim news agencies portrayed the American president as backing down.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The mustache required fewer pixels to animate than a mouth, and the overalls helped clearly define Mario’s movements.—
Alexander Kaplan,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
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From the very beginning, ABC was making a big bet on a figure whose defining, and perhaps most relatable, quality is her impulse to burn it all down.—
Rebecca Jennings,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Characterize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characterize. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
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