1
as in described
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 distinguished
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 characterized
In June, voting members rejected the second assessment in a 229-166 vote, a move the lawsuit characterized as a loss of confidence in the board’s management.
—
Chase Jordan
january 13, Charlotte Observer, 13 Jan. 2026
This will require initiating a process of transitional justice—one that investigates both the grand corruption and the human rights abuses that characterized the dictatorship.
—Boris Muñoz, Time, 12 Jan. 2026
Pahlavi, who has tried to position himself as a transitional leader of Iran, characterized himself as Iranians' voice in the outside world.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
The park is headquartered in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, which has been characterized as an amusement venue posing as a town.
—Paige Williams, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
The move was characterized as a typical political conflict; however, the revelations from these whistleblowers raise questions about whether there could have also been a motive to keep wrongdoing concealed.
—Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 11 Jan. 2026
For many working households, that means a continuation of the faster-than-CPI-U accumulation that characterized the cost of necessities for the previous two decades.
—Gene Ludwig, Fortune, 11 Jan. 2026
Government officials have characterized the use-of-force as self-defense while local officials and eye witnesses have disputed that account as the case remains under investigation.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 10 Jan. 2026
Stewart has characterized the film as a lyrical battle cry, designed to be a visceral experience for the audience that mirrors the subconscious ways memory lives within the human body.
—Robert Lang, Deadline, 10 Jan. 2026
Chase Jordan
january 13, Charlotte Observer, 13 Jan. 2026
This will require initiating a process of transitional justice—one that investigates both the grand corruption and the human rights abuses that characterized the dictatorship.
—Boris Muñoz, Time, 12 Jan. 2026
Pahlavi, who has tried to position himself as a transitional leader of Iran, characterized himself as Iranians' voice in the outside world.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
The park is headquartered in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, which has been characterized as an amusement venue posing as a town.
—Paige Williams, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
The move was characterized as a typical political conflict; however, the revelations from these whistleblowers raise questions about whether there could have also been a motive to keep wrongdoing concealed.
—Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 11 Jan. 2026
For many working households, that means a continuation of the faster-than-CPI-U accumulation that characterized the cost of necessities for the previous two decades.
—Gene Ludwig, Fortune, 11 Jan. 2026
Government officials have characterized the use-of-force as self-defense while local officials and eye witnesses have disputed that account as the case remains under investigation.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 10 Jan. 2026
Stewart has characterized the film as a lyrical battle cry, designed to be a visceral experience for the audience that mirrors the subconscious ways memory lives within the human body.
—Robert Lang, Deadline, 10 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characterized
Verb
-
Alicia Kearns, the shadow national security minister and prominent critic of the project, described the approval of the embassy as handing Beijing a strategic advantage against British interests.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Francis also argued on appeal that Sammartino did not give enough consideration to his ailing health nor properly credit him for his cooperation, which prosecutors described as unprecedented.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Reset offers three tiers of rooms, distinguished by their outdoor layouts (all patios feature a firepit, but only some have the outdoor tub), bed size (queen or king), and view (mountain view versus interior-facing).—
Kristine Thomason,
Outside,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Tarr's reputation for films tinged with misery and hard-heartedness, distinguished by black-and-white cinematography and unusually long sequences, only grew throughout the 1990s and 2000s, particularly after his 1994 film Sátántangó.—
Alina Edwards,
NPR,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
As part of the unique treatment — Challis Davy always likes to throw in surprises — some of the artists will be portrayed by actors who will appear throughout the Irvine Bowl outdoor amphitheatre during the shows.—
Erika I. Ritchie,
Oc Register,
12 Jan. 2026
-
An leads the ensemble as Chang Er, a fairy maiden dwelling in the titular lunar residence with her lover Hou Yi, portrayed by Dominick Rustam.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Hialeah marked a historic moment Monday as 28-year-old Bryan Calvo was sworn in as mayor, becoming the youngest person ever to lead the city in its 100-year history.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Brinkley recently marked the holiday season with family.—
Danielle Minnetian,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Hudson’s makeup artist, Tonya Brewer, blurred her pores using a mattifying powder, volumized her lashes with a few swipes of a smudge-free mascara, defined her pout with a long-lasting lip liner, and more.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The team overcoming those injuries defined the season.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Characterized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characterized. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
