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
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
Democrats vow to fight on Suzan DelBene, the top fundraiser for House Democrats, denounced the Virginia Supreme Court decision, characterizing it as four unelected judges casting aside the will of voters.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 8 May 2026
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
Democrats vow to fight on Suzan DelBene, the top fundraiser for House Democrats, denounced the Virginia Supreme Court decision, characterizing it as four unelected judges casting aside the will of voters.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 8 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characterizing
Verb
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Kardashian has been one of the most vocal celebrities about using exercise to relieve stress, describing the gym as essential for clearing her head and managing anxiety.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
10 June 2026
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Officials in neighboring Boston are excited about the temporary flexibility, describing the extended last call as an economic boon, not just during the World Cup but also other high-level summer events.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
10 June 2026
Verb
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This isn’t to say any of these teams would have challenged eventual champion LSU; the point is that distinguishing between teams 10 and 20 for inclusion in a 16-team CFP is virtually impossible.—
Scott Dochterman,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
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The first distinguishing feature is the nature of the problem being attacked.—
Ethan Stone,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Among them was Viola Davis, who earned her second Oscar nomination for portraying Aibileen Clark, a maid working for a white family in the 1960s.—
Angelique Brenes,
PEOPLE,
6 June 2026
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He's played by Jamie Hector, best known for portraying Jerry Edgar on Bosch and gangster Marlo Stanfield on The Wire.—
Britt Hayes,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 June 2026
Verb
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That was the defining feature of the immediate aftermath of one of the most iconic basketball wins ever.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
11 June 2026
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And edged to the north by the Great Lakes, is a now defining coastal culture with a history that drove industrial innovation, military security and trade.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Characterizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characterizing. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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