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
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
Supporters of the high-earner tax for public education have been quick to stress it’s been in place for more than a decade, characterizing any rollback of it as a tax cut for the wealthy.
—
Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2026
So much of The Last Supper involved characterizing songs, movies, music videos, paintings, and so on.
—Literary Hub, 1 June 2026
Many in the scientific research community disagree, characterizing the changes as the White House attempting to usurp autonomy from scientists and career civil servants.
—Allison Deangelis, STAT, 1 June 2026
The United States has struck a hard line, characterizing the unrest as a coup attempt.
—ABC News, 27 May 2026
The company temporarily halted the work and offered to repair the road at no cost to the county, characterizing the work as a gift.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
Fresh, seasonal produce plays a large part in characterizing the taste of a place, and in Florida’s mild climate much of that flavor can be locally grown.
—Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 12 May 2026
The pick-up in optimism matches other data characterizing speculative appetite amid this year's extraordinary surge in tech stocks.
—Oliver Renick, CNBC, 12 May 2026
This is among the first steps in characterizing the quality of a particular cacao.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 10 May 2026
Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2026
So much of The Last Supper involved characterizing songs, movies, music videos, paintings, and so on.
—Literary Hub, 1 June 2026
Many in the scientific research community disagree, characterizing the changes as the White House attempting to usurp autonomy from scientists and career civil servants.
—Allison Deangelis, STAT, 1 June 2026
The United States has struck a hard line, characterizing the unrest as a coup attempt.
—ABC News, 27 May 2026
The company temporarily halted the work and offered to repair the road at no cost to the county, characterizing the work as a gift.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
Fresh, seasonal produce plays a large part in characterizing the taste of a place, and in Florida’s mild climate much of that flavor can be locally grown.
—Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 12 May 2026
The pick-up in optimism matches other data characterizing speculative appetite amid this year's extraordinary surge in tech stocks.
—Oliver Renick, CNBC, 12 May 2026
This is among the first steps in characterizing the quality of a particular cacao.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 10 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characterizing
Verb
-
In a professional biography posted on Canvas last updated in 2022, Davis demonstrated his passion for areospace studies and flight training, describing his extensive education and flight experience.—
Reeti Malhotra,
Sacbee.com,
18 June 2026
-
The preservation coalition have compared the sculpture garden to Trump’s White House ballroom and triumphal arch projects, describing them as costly and frequent targets of litigation.—
Tessa Solomon,
ARTnews.com,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Behind the scenes, Spatial Hearing AI listens to the 3D acoustic environment and maps the soundscape, isolating each source and distinguishing between multiple speakers, so that devices can respond adaptively, guided by the context of their surroundings.—
Scott Kramer,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
-
The original combat variant, which the company is already producing, will now carry the designation CA-1KA (Kinetic Attack), distinguishing it from the new electronic warfare model.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Trump has publicly commented on Paramount along the way, sometimes portraying the Ellisons as his friends and specifically expressing interest in the family taking over CNN.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
12 June 2026
-
Valadao’s backers have already started to emphasize his moderate views while portraying Villegas’ progressive politics as out-of-step with many district voters.—
Mathew Miranda
June 12,
Sacbee.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Both came to the Nats in the aforementioned — and franchise-defining — trade away of Soto in 2022.—
Barry Svrluga,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
Digital sovereignty is quickly becoming a defining pursuit for countries trying to build strategic autonomy.—
Aidan Gomez,
Fortune,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Characterizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characterizing. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
