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characterizes

verb

present tense third-person singular of characterize
1
as in describes
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 distinguishes
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 characterizes In a defense memo, Pattis characterizes Diamantis as a broken and financially ruined former politician and lawyer who at 70 might not survive a long prison sentence. — Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 14 Sep. 2026 The same patchwork that characterizes the languages and architecture of the city can also be seen in its class structure. — Benjamin Moser, Travel + Leisure, 8 Sep. 2026 Foam conjures the fragile sturdiness that characterizes both Hesse’s sculpture and Zambreno’s own vacillation between precarity and privilege. — Catherine G. Wagley, ARTnews.com, 4 Sep. 2026 The research characterizes the industry as roughly two years behind travelers in adoption. — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Pragmatism characterizes Taiwan’s approach to mainland China. — Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 Many of the visions emerging out of Silicon Valley have been lifted wholesale from science fiction, but without the critical awareness that characterizes the genre — and without genuine openness to the unfamiliar. — Carline Tromp, The Dial, 18 Aug. 2026 Lou Reed modeled the sort of petulant sing-talking that characterizes her verses. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026 Strada’s website characterizes the candidate as a successful businessman. — Annie Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characterizes
  1. describes
  2. distinguishes
  3. portrays
  4. defines
Verb
  • The nonprofit describes itself as Indiana’s first and largest scholarship-granting organization.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Appropriated from a John Cale album, the title accurately describes scenes of bloodletting committed by bizarre, scenery-chewing yakuza members, and the energy hovers somewhere around a bloodier-than-baseline Takashi Miike movie from the mid-2000s.
    — Vadim Rizov, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of describes
Verb
  • What distinguishes this new project is Jay’s obvious delight in having Rubin, the eccentric naïf, as his interlocutor and audience.
    — Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Housed in the 17th-century Hellbrunn Palace, where many scenes from the film were shot, the museum distinguishes the real-life story of the von Trapp family from that of the 1959 Broadway musical and later the Hollywood blockbuster.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of distinguishes
Verb
  • On TV, Absolom portrays Benny in season 2 of Apple TV+’s sci-fi series Silo, opposite Rebecca Ferguson, Common, and Harriet Walter.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026
  • In Madden, Cage costars with Christian Bale, who portrays late Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis, in the film, which explores Madden’s NFL coaching career and the creation of the popular Madden NFL video games franchise.
    — Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of portrays
Verb
  • Jewelry is also essential, both day and night, and is probably the element that defines my style the most.
    — Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 22 Sep. 2026
  • The World Health Organization defines a fall as an event in which a person inadvertently comes to rest on the ground, floor, or another lower level, so a same-level slip or trip may also qualify.
    — Matthew Kayser, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of defines

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characterizes
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Cite this Entry

“Characterizes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characterizes. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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