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 couples who describe their relationship as genuinely easy — not without conflict, but without the grinding exhaustion that characterizes so many long-term partnerships — don’t tend to share the same hobbies or communication style.
—
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
In the past couple of decades, however, Czernowin has deëmphasized the frantic gesturing that characterizes so much latter-day modernism.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Wilson’s approach to public life clearly has an element of what professional wrestlers call kayfabe—the winking, performative trollishness that now characterizes the online right.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026
While the Journal characterizes the loss of funding as a death knell for the organization, LIV officials have been quick to point out that the league has been increasing its revenue this year.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
But no such device exists for the way Trump characterizes it — at least not when math is done correctly.
—ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
The author characterizes Huntington Beach itself as an inherently self-aggrandizing, wealthy coastal enclave unrepresentative of broader California concerns, dismissing the notion that this affluent beach town should serve as a model for statewide governance or the state’s future direction.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
But the decision also characterizes the law as viewpoint discrimination (specifically here the desire to change someone’s LGBTQ+ identity), which is almost never allowed under the First Amendment.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 3 Apr. 2026
Other weirdness characterizes the city’s plan beginning with the decision to put a tourism agency, Choose Chicago, in charge.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
In the past couple of decades, however, Czernowin has deëmphasized the frantic gesturing that characterizes so much latter-day modernism.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Wilson’s approach to public life clearly has an element of what professional wrestlers call kayfabe—the winking, performative trollishness that now characterizes the online right.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026
While the Journal characterizes the loss of funding as a death knell for the organization, LIV officials have been quick to point out that the league has been increasing its revenue this year.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
But no such device exists for the way Trump characterizes it — at least not when math is done correctly.
—ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
The author characterizes Huntington Beach itself as an inherently self-aggrandizing, wealthy coastal enclave unrepresentative of broader California concerns, dismissing the notion that this affluent beach town should serve as a model for statewide governance or the state’s future direction.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
But the decision also characterizes the law as viewpoint discrimination (specifically here the desire to change someone’s LGBTQ+ identity), which is almost never allowed under the First Amendment.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 3 Apr. 2026
Other weirdness characterizes the city’s plan beginning with the decision to put a tourism agency, Choose Chicago, in charge.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characterizes
Verb
-
So far, this describes Marilyn.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
-
The company also describes the aircraft as supporting ISR, electronic warfare, communications relay, and even launching effects payloads.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
And this minimal processing is what distinguishes whole grain pasta from traditional white or refined pasta, which is typically made from refined wheat flour that has been stripped of the bran and germ.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
24 May 2026
-
Oak adds baking spices and light tannins, while the underlying barley contributes a nutty, slightly rustic depth that distinguishes it from more traditional single malts.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
Agnieszka Kurant portrays the scary and absurd business of attempting to predict—and control—our world using data, logic, and algorithms.—
Emily Watlington,
ARTnews.com,
24 May 2026
-
Alongside Mike Dutkewych’s smart and sensitive liner notes, the music portrays Lucas as a preternaturally gifted tunesmith hamstrung by his ability to commit to a single sound or path.—
Grayson Haver Currin,
Pitchfork,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
For AstraZeneca, that picture defines the next phase of its sustainability work.—
Ken Silverstein,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
-
Whether the Su-57D can meaningfully close that gap remains to be seen, but the aircraft’s development suggests Russia increasingly recognizes that information dominance (not just raw performance) defines modern air combat.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
25 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Characterizes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characterizes. Accessed 28 May. 2026.
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