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
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2
as in distinguished
to be an important feature of
an unsightly rash characterizes chicken pox
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of characterized
An obsession for excellence is characterized by clarity about standards, allegiance to discipline, sustained commitment, and a tenacious reach for one's absolute optimum.
—
Chip Bell, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
There are many different varieties of ramen across Japan, and Sanno ramen is characterized by its blend of soy sauce, pork, and chicken.
—Kim Kay, Travel + Leisure, 14 Sep. 2025
An increasing number of boys are lonely, isolated and confused, wrestling with the aftermath of the #MeToo movement and the expectations of rigid masculinity, which has been widely characterized as toxic.
—Don Riddell, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025
In a market often characterized by part-time hosts, low-barrier tech platforms, and high-cost management services, FIBI Vacation Rentals positions itself as an operator built by investors, for investors.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Developer Arrowhead has characterized the game as a satire.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
See new species A new species of coral, Iridogorgia chewbacca, was discovered near the Mariana Trench and the Hawaiian Islands, characterized by its long, spiraling structures and iridescent appearance.
—Real-Time News Team, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
Also known as ratfish or chimaeras, ghost sharks are deep-sea fish characterized by their green, glowing eyes and shimmering bodies, typically measuring around two feet in length.
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
His appearance could be characterized as Jesus with stronger jawline.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 7 Sep. 2025
Chip Bell, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
There are many different varieties of ramen across Japan, and Sanno ramen is characterized by its blend of soy sauce, pork, and chicken.
—Kim Kay, Travel + Leisure, 14 Sep. 2025
An increasing number of boys are lonely, isolated and confused, wrestling with the aftermath of the #MeToo movement and the expectations of rigid masculinity, which has been widely characterized as toxic.
—Don Riddell, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025
In a market often characterized by part-time hosts, low-barrier tech platforms, and high-cost management services, FIBI Vacation Rentals positions itself as an operator built by investors, for investors.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Developer Arrowhead has characterized the game as a satire.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
See new species A new species of coral, Iridogorgia chewbacca, was discovered near the Mariana Trench and the Hawaiian Islands, characterized by its long, spiraling structures and iridescent appearance.
—Real-Time News Team, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
Also known as ratfish or chimaeras, ghost sharks are deep-sea fish characterized by their green, glowing eyes and shimmering bodies, typically measuring around two feet in length.
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
His appearance could be characterized as Jesus with stronger jawline.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 7 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characterized
Verb
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It’s gotten so bad that, in one of the largest H-2A criminal cases ever, a federal judge described the abuse of these workers as a form of modern-day slavery.—
Max Blau,
ProPublica,
16 Sep. 2025
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Boelter’s motivation remains unclear, but investigators found a one-and-a-half-page letter, described as rambling and difficult to read, that was ascribed to him.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Ever since its founding, Starbucks has distinguished itself by its capacity for innovation.—
Randy Bean,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
In the preceding years, views toward socialism — distinguished by collective ownership of the means of production — remained relatively unchanged.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Getty portrayed the cantankerous but charming matriarch Sophia Petrillo, the mother of Arthur's character, and McClanahan played the flirtatious Southern belle Blanche.—
Ashley Hume , Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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The evening doubles as a salute to the 25th anniversary of Girlfriends, the groundbreaking sitcom that redefined how Black women’s friendships, ambitions, and complexities were portrayed on screen.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Saturday marked Sporting’s ninth loss this season by exactly one goal.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
14 Sep. 2025
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For Seville, who no doubt had the best year of his career over the 2025 calendar season, the win marked the next step in his evolution as one of his country’s best.—
Cory Mull,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Charisma and control once defined professional strength.—
Nirit Cohen,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Athletes are often defined by their times, medals, and records, but stripping back their impact to numbers can be reductive, particularly in Fraser-Pryce’s case.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Characterized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characterized. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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