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
Steering away from the Banda music that has characterized her sound and biggest hits, the Mexican-American singer experiments with reggae, R&B, and folk cumbia on this eight-track set that also includes powerful audio affirmations by the singer.
—
Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 8 Nov. 2025
The two-hour-plus interview was characterized by Carlson’s failure to directly challenge Fuentes’s points.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 8 Nov. 2025
In truth, the patriots’ path to victory was a near decade-long slog characterized by a string of strange bedfellows, strained alliances, and dramatic reversals.
—Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
Specifically, Tigray braids—AKA Albaso braids, Tigray lines, or Ethiopian lines—are characterized by fine cornrows fanning out towards the back and sides into a voluminous, downward flowing coif at the back.
—Essence, 7 Nov. 2025
The plan, which Democrats characterized as a good-faith offer to Republicans, would codify a one-year extension of health care subsidies that are set to expire at the start of 2026, raising premiums for millions of Americans.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
China has deployed and tested hypersonic glide vehicles and road-mobile systems, such as the DF-17/DF-ZF family, which are typically characterized as gliding at Mach 5–10 and designed to complicate missile-defense engagement.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2025
The Department of Education characterized these moves as necessary to prevent unsustainable borrowing and rising tuition costs.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
The policy change affecting Ocean Beach was characterized by city officials as amending the municipal code to simply clarify what was already allowed.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 8 Nov. 2025
The two-hour-plus interview was characterized by Carlson’s failure to directly challenge Fuentes’s points.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 8 Nov. 2025
In truth, the patriots’ path to victory was a near decade-long slog characterized by a string of strange bedfellows, strained alliances, and dramatic reversals.
—Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
Specifically, Tigray braids—AKA Albaso braids, Tigray lines, or Ethiopian lines—are characterized by fine cornrows fanning out towards the back and sides into a voluminous, downward flowing coif at the back.
—Essence, 7 Nov. 2025
The plan, which Democrats characterized as a good-faith offer to Republicans, would codify a one-year extension of health care subsidies that are set to expire at the start of 2026, raising premiums for millions of Americans.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
China has deployed and tested hypersonic glide vehicles and road-mobile systems, such as the DF-17/DF-ZF family, which are typically characterized as gliding at Mach 5–10 and designed to complicate missile-defense engagement.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2025
The Department of Education characterized these moves as necessary to prevent unsustainable borrowing and rising tuition costs.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
The policy change affecting Ocean Beach was characterized by city officials as amending the municipal code to simply clarify what was already allowed.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characterized
Verb
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The platform, best described as part creative incubator and part distribution hub, is designed for the mobile attention economy without sacrificing substance or style.—
Partner Content,
Variety,
10 Nov. 2025
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In a phone call last spring, Kashunamiut School District Superintendent Jeanne Campbell described a host of problems related to the Chevak school's boiler and broken water pipes that impacted the fire sprinkler system.—
Emily Schwing,
NPR,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Available for $695, the sculptural silhouette is distinguished by its super-sharp pointed toe.—
Kelsey Stewart,
Footwear News,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The Polar Express’ three seating tiers—coach, deluxe, and first-class—are mainly distinguished by seat type.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The first adaptation of author Mary Shelley's classic 1818 novel came in 1931, when Boris Karloff portrayed the monster in Frankenstein.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
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On the big screen, Harford cared for Sandra Dee’s Rosalie Stocker in The Wild and the Innocent (1959) and portrayed the opportunistic older sister of Natalie Wood’s unstable title character in Inside Daisy Clover (1965), the melodrama directed by Robert Mulligan.—
Mike Barnes,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Laughton's political career was marked by complications and legal troubles.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
10 Nov. 2025
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Saturday marked a happy homecoming of sorts for Hornets co-offensive coordinator and running backs coach AC Patterson, who had two different stints as a Portland State assistant coach, including from 2022-24.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Mentality and late goals defined their seven-game winning run to start the campaign but there were flaws in those performances and they were exposed further in defeats.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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There was a need for more reliable information about concussions and uniformity in terms of how they were being defined in terms of severity.—
NPR,
NPR,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Characterized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characterized. Accessed 22 Nov. 2025.
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