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
The Globe and Mail reported that AGO abandoned the deal after some acquisition committee members characterized Goldin’s comments about Israel’s war in Gaza as antisemitic.
—
News Desk, Artforum, 9 Mar. 2026
The company has characterized the government’s evidence as relying on conjecture rather than hard data.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 9 Mar. 2026
Many of the country’s 93 million people were deeply dissatisfied with the sclerotic and often corrupt rule that characterized the 36-plus-year reign of his father.
—Ramin Mostaghim, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Here my experience as an athlete wasn’t an asset but a liability characterized by impatience and a fixation with hard work and agency.
—James Hibbard, Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026
Saturday's loss at Moody Center could have been characterized as a choke.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 9 Mar. 2026
For the first few years of its implementation, the NIL era has been mostly characterized by institutions and sponsors falling all over themselves to help create a new class of multi-millionaires – even before most of them are of legal drinking age.
—Dallas Morning News, 8 Mar. 2026
Analysts have broadly characterized Mojtaba as a powerful figure with limited public and international profiles, operating somewhat behind the scenes but enjoying major influence.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 8 Mar. 2026
While Anthropic has characterized the inquiry as routine, the Pentagon and Palantir interpreted it as a potential threat to their access.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2026
News Desk, Artforum, 9 Mar. 2026
The company has characterized the government’s evidence as relying on conjecture rather than hard data.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 9 Mar. 2026
Many of the country’s 93 million people were deeply dissatisfied with the sclerotic and often corrupt rule that characterized the 36-plus-year reign of his father.
—Ramin Mostaghim, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Here my experience as an athlete wasn’t an asset but a liability characterized by impatience and a fixation with hard work and agency.
—James Hibbard, Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026
Saturday's loss at Moody Center could have been characterized as a choke.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 9 Mar. 2026
For the first few years of its implementation, the NIL era has been mostly characterized by institutions and sponsors falling all over themselves to help create a new class of multi-millionaires – even before most of them are of legal drinking age.
—Dallas Morning News, 8 Mar. 2026
Analysts have broadly characterized Mojtaba as a powerful figure with limited public and international profiles, operating somewhat behind the scenes but enjoying major influence.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 8 Mar. 2026
While Anthropic has characterized the inquiry as routine, the Pentagon and Palantir interpreted it as a potential threat to their access.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characterized
Verb
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Supporters of Newsom’s proposal have described it as a fairness policy, to create a uniform system of work requirements.—
Andrew Graham
March 9,
Sacbee.com,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The chief of the AMIA investigative unit also issued an international arrest warrant for Ali Asghar Hejazi, a senior Iranian official described as a close aide to Khamenei who so far has apparently survived the attacks on Iran’s leadership.—
Juan Melamed,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In Argentina, the visit caused surprise and even dismay, particularly among those who appreciated the national team captain for not getting involved in politics, a trait that had distinguished him from his predecessor, Diego Maradona.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
This palm is distinguished by its edible one-inch fruit, which turns black when ripe and whose taste is likened to dates.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Robin Hood was portrayed as a fox, Little John was depicted as a bear, Friar Tuck as a badger, Prince John as a lion, the sheriff of Nottingham as a wolf and Maid Marian as a vixen.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Radcliffe played the titular wizard Harry Potter in the beloved franchise, while Felton portrayed Potter's nemesis Draco Malfoy.—
Yi-Jin Yu,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The company estimated that its fiscal 2026 gross profit could be negatively impacted by $4 million to $6 million due to product markdowns at stores marked for closure.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Friday night’s game marked the sixth-straight season Summit played at least four playoff games.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Tubac Country Inn Conveniently located near the village shops and restaurants, Tubac Country Inn has six suites defined by their historic accents and southwestern decor.—
Molly Allen,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The letter codified the idea that the modern West—defined by liberalism, constitutionalism, and multi-party democracy—could be separated, conceptually, from the ancient West, as represented by Greece and Rome.—
Chang Che,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Characterized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characterized. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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