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
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Recent Examples of characterizes
The next step was to search for the higher-energy release of energy that stellar physicists believe characterizes the frequent CMEs from young stars.
—
Keith Cooper, Space.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Protest organizers have trained thousands in de-escalation techniques and have promised the day will be safe, even as political rhetoric characterizes demonstrators as being aligned with terrorist forces.
—Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
The White House regularly characterizes undocumented immigrants as drivers of urban lawlessness, even though the data show that is not true.
—Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR, 17 Oct. 2025
But the strong business-client relationship isn’t the only thing that characterizes Cookie Brokers.
—Paula Soria, AZCentral.com, 14 Oct. 2025
In the days following the podcast appearance, the author shared a parody by British satirist Intel Lady that characterizes Watson as contradictory and fame-hungry.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2025
But what characterizes this style?
—Irene Reyes, Glamour, 23 Sep. 2025
The documentary characterizes this apparent persecution of Mosby as part of the same beast keeping Syed in prison.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025
South Africa characterizes its foreign policy as one of active nonalignment.
—Michelle Gavin, Foreign Affairs, 17 Sep. 2025
Keith Cooper, Space.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Protest organizers have trained thousands in de-escalation techniques and have promised the day will be safe, even as political rhetoric characterizes demonstrators as being aligned with terrorist forces.
—Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
The White House regularly characterizes undocumented immigrants as drivers of urban lawlessness, even though the data show that is not true.
—Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR, 17 Oct. 2025
But the strong business-client relationship isn’t the only thing that characterizes Cookie Brokers.
—Paula Soria, AZCentral.com, 14 Oct. 2025
In the days following the podcast appearance, the author shared a parody by British satirist Intel Lady that characterizes Watson as contradictory and fame-hungry.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2025
But what characterizes this style?
—Irene Reyes, Glamour, 23 Sep. 2025
The documentary characterizes this apparent persecution of Mosby as part of the same beast keeping Syed in prison.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025
South Africa characterizes its foreign policy as one of active nonalignment.
—Michelle Gavin, Foreign Affairs, 17 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characterizes
Verb
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And, at the end of each chapter, the book describes how the evidence on each phenomenon has evolved and strengthened in the years since the original columns.—
Greg Rosalsky,
NPR,
11 Nov. 2025
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Miller's nomination describes her as having maintained great fortitude and excellent disposition, talent and character.—
Kenya Anderson,
Nashville Tennessean,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Pack argued that quality is precisely what distinguishes his film from modern, perhaps more politicized documentaries on Najaf and Fallujah.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Nov. 2025
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Liu distinguishes between different forms of industry validation.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The more than 4,000-page indictment includes an organization chart that portrays Imamoglu as the founder and head of the criminal group.—
Reuters 17 hr ago,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
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In the video, Manilow portrays a character who sacrifices a traditional family life to pursue his dream as a performer.—
Paul Grein,
Billboard,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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That care defines Cairo Film Festival’s identity as much as its programming.—
Essie Assibu,
Variety,
11 Nov. 2025
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Shortly after, Rodríguez slipped and fell into a giant snowbank behind the goal, an image that defines Atletico Ottawa’s first CPL championship, with a 2-1 over Calgary’s Cavalry FC.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Characterizes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characterizes. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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