1
as in describing
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
Relevance
2
as in distinguishing
to be an important feature of
an unsightly rash characterizes chicken pox
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of characterizing
The author portrays Huntington Beach’s conservative leadership as opportunistic political actors seeking to weaponize local grievances for statewide power, characterizing their efforts to expand influence as built on cultural controversies rather than substantive governance achievements.
—
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Mandy Joye, an oceanographer specializing in microbiology at the University of Georgia, has spent decades characterizing microbes in hydrocarbon-rich habitats across the Gulf.
—Jeffrey Marlow, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
But a number of architects and preservation groups provided their opinions of the 90,000 square foot project, generally characterizing it as way out of scale with the Executive Residence, the main part of the White House, while throwing off the symmetry of the grounds.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
The notion of characterizing such a move as anything more than penalizing the public — which is finally balking at more taxation — is nonsense.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026
Analysts at Mizuho, for example, urged investors not to overreact, characterizing the move as typical profit-taking after a strong rally.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
Guten singled out the defense’s witness, Beatty, as too biased to render an impartial assessment, characterizing the social worker’s testimony as advocacy, not an expert opinion.
—Pamela Colloff, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
The Hideout also closed for a couple of months beginning in November 2022 after former program director Mykele Deville issued a social media post characterizing the venue as a toxic workplace.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
So far, lawmakers have been far from receptive to such an idea, with Republicans characterizing the effort as government overreach that would be counter to free-market ideals, one of the officials said.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 17 Mar. 2026
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Mandy Joye, an oceanographer specializing in microbiology at the University of Georgia, has spent decades characterizing microbes in hydrocarbon-rich habitats across the Gulf.
—Jeffrey Marlow, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
But a number of architects and preservation groups provided their opinions of the 90,000 square foot project, generally characterizing it as way out of scale with the Executive Residence, the main part of the White House, while throwing off the symmetry of the grounds.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
The notion of characterizing such a move as anything more than penalizing the public — which is finally balking at more taxation — is nonsense.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026
Analysts at Mizuho, for example, urged investors not to overreact, characterizing the move as typical profit-taking after a strong rally.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
Guten singled out the defense’s witness, Beatty, as too biased to render an impartial assessment, characterizing the social worker’s testimony as advocacy, not an expert opinion.
—Pamela Colloff, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
The Hideout also closed for a couple of months beginning in November 2022 after former program director Mykele Deville issued a social media post characterizing the venue as a toxic workplace.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
So far, lawmakers have been far from receptive to such an idea, with Republicans characterizing the effort as government overreach that would be counter to free-market ideals, one of the officials said.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 17 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characterizing
Verb
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British maritime monitors confirmed the incidents, describing one cargo ship left disabled in the water and another that took heavy damage to its bridge.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
-
At a lecture at Aarhus University in 2015, Bar-Natan distributed a handout describing his goals.—
Erica Klarreich,
Quanta Magazine,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In discussions of people like Michael Jackson, some defenders insist on distinguishing between the artist and the art, but a bio-pic is necessarily about both.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The piece contends that mainstream news outlets maintain legitimate standards requiring verification of allegations before publication, distinguishing serious journalism from gossip trafficking by political rivals.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The production features over 20 actors portraying characters from a wide range of nationalities and backgrounds, reflecting the diversity of the real-life camp.—
Ray Campos,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
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Acting career Allen next turned to acting, portraying Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor in the film How to Build a Girl (2019).—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Again, there is no official criterion defining a low-contact relationship, so don’t get hung up on labels.—
Ashley Oerman,
SELF,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Supreme Indigo is the mill’s defining color story for the season.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Characterizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characterizing. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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