characterizes

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 Yet Lee shows that the iron sense of control with which Brookner approached her own legacy runs through her fiction, too, creating the austere elegance that characterizes her prose. — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Nov. 2026 In October 2019, China paused sponsorship deals with the National Basketball Association after Houston Rockets executive Daryl Morey posted online in support of protests in Hong Kong, which Beijing characterizes as separatist and seditious. — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 28 Oct. 2026 Then comes the 1979 Iranian Revolution, which Montefiore characterizes as epochal in its impact. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 27 Oct. 2026 The younger Paul’s relationship with Braunstein, however, was cold — ever since Les Paul died in 2009 of severe pneumonia complications amid what Gene characterizes as communication issues between Braunstein and the family. — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2026 Yet recent rhetoric from City Hall characterizes CARE as a success. — Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 While the same anthropologists also emphasize that some hunter-gatherers are very unequal and that equality takes deliberate effort, the prevailing impression is that equality characterizes hunter-gatherers, past and present. — Christopher Von Rueden, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2026 Fortescue characterizes Aston’s stance as a minority opinion. — Vivienne Walt, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characterizes
Verb
  • Berry, who died last month and never did buy a computer (or a smartphone), describes in the essay his writing process, which involved drafting a piece by hand and then having his wife transcribe it on a typewriter.
    — August Lamm, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Their calculations used a feature of the model called a universal scaling function, which describes how physical quantities with dimensions, such as length, change over cosmic time.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • What distinguishes Hoffman, along with his unconventional leading-man looks, is the magnitude of his talent and his unyielding faith in his own instincts.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026
  • What distinguishes MedArt within the boutique tier is less the technique menu and more the case mix.
    — Burak Onal, Sacbee.com, 10 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • The film portrays Avedon as a complicated figure, one whose contributions exceed the field of fashion photography.
    — Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 11 Nov. 2026
  • In Aroma, Jiali Zhao stars as Yang, while Weihao Xu portrays Fang.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Bluey resonates with parents and children of the world due to the heart and the humor at the show's core, something Brumm says defines Brisbane.
    — Erin Florio, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Nov. 2026
  • As one of the fastest-growing school districts in North Texas, Crowley ISD is committed to advancing the tradition of excellence that defines Crowley High School athletics.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Characterizes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characterizes. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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