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
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Recent Examples of characterizing
Abarca says complaints overblown Abarca, at the time, welcomed the investigation, characterizing the complaints as overblown.
—
Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2025
Following Kirk's killing, Jezebel removed the original article, issuing a statement characterizing it as humor and reiterating that the publication condoned neither physical harm nor political violence.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
Longtime Pentagon press corps members and press freedom groups roundly condemned the move, characterizing it as an alarming shift away from decades of precedent set by previous administrations.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 20 Sep. 2025
This study contributes to a growing body of research aimed at characterizing threats to the ocean’s apex predators.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 10 Sep. 2025
And, since Congress expects workers and employers to be (cough) creative when characterizing wages as tips to avoid paying taxes on otherwise taxable income, Treasury is authorized to issue additional guidance to prevent abuse.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025
By contrast, Ka’iana and his family’s landing spot with Kamehameha’s base of power in Hawaii, as well as their foes, needed to be grounded in the land, while still doing the work of characterizing the different factions.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2025
Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2025
Following Kirk's killing, Jezebel removed the original article, issuing a statement characterizing it as humor and reiterating that the publication condoned neither physical harm nor political violence.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
Longtime Pentagon press corps members and press freedom groups roundly condemned the move, characterizing it as an alarming shift away from decades of precedent set by previous administrations.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 20 Sep. 2025
This study contributes to a growing body of research aimed at characterizing threats to the ocean’s apex predators.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 10 Sep. 2025
And, since Congress expects workers and employers to be (cough) creative when characterizing wages as tips to avoid paying taxes on otherwise taxable income, Treasury is authorized to issue additional guidance to prevent abuse.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025
By contrast, Ka’iana and his family’s landing spot with Kamehameha’s base of power in Hawaii, as well as their foes, needed to be grounded in the land, while still doing the work of characterizing the different factions.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characterizing
Verb
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Showrunner, Luke Matheny was on a similar wavelength when describing his thoughts about taking on the project.—
DeVonne Goode,
Parents,
1 Oct. 2025
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Although her music is bright and confident, what McRae is describing is an inner world shaped by darkness.—
Rachel Brodsky,
Time,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In the current threat environment, the offenders are often not distinguishing.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
28 Sep. 2025
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This is not distinguishing Russia.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Lopez received high praise for her performance in Hustlers, portraying a real-life exotic dancer who targeted and schemed Wall Street clientele out of money.—
Jen Juneau,
PEOPLE,
29 Sep. 2025
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Strong has finalized his deal to play Zuckerberg in The Social Reckoning, portraying an older version of the Meta CEO than viewers saw in the 2010 movie.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Created by Emmy Award winner Lena Waithe, The Chi premiered in 2018 and quickly became a defining work in contemporary television, weaving together the lives of Chicago residents in a unique way.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
1 Oct. 2025
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There’s often a very clear defining line between the teams that have it and the teams that don’t.—
The Athletic NHL,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Characterizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characterizing. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.
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