characterizing

verb

present participle of characterize
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

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2
as in distinguishing
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 characterizing The sources firmly rejected the draft declarations, characterizing them as publicity stunts designed to mock the league, sow division, and draw attention to the topic by demeaning others. — Wayne Sterling, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026 The 49ers did not have an update on the specific injury, characterizing it only as a rib issue. — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026 Dana Johnson with the Cobb Chamber of Commerce also spoke in favor of the proposal, characterizing data centers as a form of infrastructure increasingly necessary for businesses, governments, schools and consumers. — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026 Mangione, despite facing state and federal charges in what some are characterizing as a vigilante-style action against soaring medical costs, has attracted surprising levels of public support. — Brian Mann, NPR, 13 Aug. 2026 Sony clearly wants to thread the needle of appropriately characterizing the new film while stoking audience nostalgia for its counterpart. — Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2026 The prosecution opposed the motion, characterizing the pink clothing as victim advocacy rather than jury intimidation. — Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026 In both Open Throat and Etna, brevity is central to characterizing animal consciousness. — Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026 The network has pushed back on that action as well, also characterizing it as a retaliatory effort to chill free speech. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 28 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characterizing
  1. describing
  2. distinguishing
  3. portraying
  4. defining
Verb
  • Without that foundation, the math Dimon and Scaramucci are describing simply does not hold in the American context.
    — Dan Schawbel, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Prosecutors read records from the facility describing Clancy’s largely routine actions on her children’s birthdays and the anniversaries of the killings.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of describing
Verb
  • In recent years, white supremacists have embraced the concept of lactose intolerance as a distinguishing debility of nonwhite people.
    — Hilary Smith, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The app offers a free entry-level service, while distinguishing itself with an option for 3-D modeling of a client’s cellar, starting at $1,500 to $5,000.
    — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of distinguishing
Verb
  • That more or less happened this week, with dozens of Fox News segments about Piker, portraying him as a left-wing kingmaker and the id of the socialist movement.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Fallout continued Thursday for content creator and apparel brand Good Good Golf over an ad that was supposed to promote a new Callaway driver but ended up being criticized for portraying violence against women.
    — Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of portraying
Verb
  • The plight of immigrants is one of the defining moral issues of our time, and more and more big name musicians are following the trail Parton blazed so long ago.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • By defining other civilizations as alien cultures, a civilizationist grand strategy might fuel antagonism rather than tolerate differences.
    — Leonard A. Schuette, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of defining

Browse Nearby Words

characterizes
characterizing
characterless
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Cite this Entry

“Characterizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characterizing. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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