characterized

verb

past tense of characterize
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

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 The result will be a continuation of the slow, attritional fighting that has characterized much of the war. — Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 Phoenix characterized the chips, established the programming approach, and verified the resulting devices before delivery. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026 Blanche and the president have characterized those cases as politically motivated. — Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 Medical uses Buprenorphine’s principal use is in the treatment of OUD, a chronic condition characterized by problematic opioid use despite harmful consequences. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026 Sesay characterized the persona as an alter ego — a provocative internet character that Andrew uses to attract attention, entertain an audience and make money. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026 El Niño events are characterized by hotter than average sea surface temperatures in the equatorial tropical Pacific Ocean, along with corresponding shifts in the atmospheric circulation throughout that region. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026 That deal, which attorneys characterized as verbal in nature, fell apart on the last day of trial and ended with a shouting match in the judge’s chambers, defense attorneys for Anthony testified. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Aug. 2026 Mark Ruffalo is pushing back against Paramount Skydance after the media giant characterized his anti-merger comments as antisemitic. — Angela Yang, NBC news, 23 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characterized
  1. described
  2. distinguished
  3. portrayed
  4. marked
  5. defined
Verb
  • His employees — asked to defend the team’s actions, and in some cases, prompted by Angels lawyers — described Skaggs as a drug addict and a poor pitcher.
    — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • At the start of the trial, Clancy’s ex-husband Patrick Clancy described the horror of returning home to find his children.
    — Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of described
Verb
  • Completing each look is a selection of DKNY handbags, including the Rivington satchel and the Bryar satchel, distinguished by its belt and pocket detailing designs.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Back in 1528, Erasmus distinguished three ways of referring to precedent.
    — Mario Carpo, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of distinguished
Verb
  • For nearly two decades, Rahul Gandhi has been portrayed as an entitled and ineffectual politician who could neither revive the Indian National Congress party nor challenge the iron rule of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
    — Rana Ayyub, Washington Post, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Multiple actresses portrayed the activist and icon on screen.
    — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of portrayed
Verb
  • Last night marked a huge milestone in the career of George Clooney, who was honored with the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Film Festival.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Your ballot will come with a pre-printed envelope marked with the Supervisor of Election office’s address.
    — Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of marked
Verb
  • The study defined high-exposure counties as having median annual emissions of 51 pounds of ethylbenzene and 44 pounds of toulene.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Spirit’s team created a warm mahogany-and-veneer interior defined by curves, with details such as fore-and-aft berths, a shower, a galley, and an electric head.
    — Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of defined

Browse Nearby Words

characterize
characterized
characterizes
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Cite this Entry

“Characterized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characterized. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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