characterization
noun
char·ac·ter·i·za·tion
ˌker-ik-t(ə-)rə-ˈzā-shən 
ˌka-rik-
: the act of characterizing
especially
: the artistic representation (as in fiction or drama) of human character or motives
the author's characterization of the boy as someone who wanted to be accepted by others
Examples of characterization in a Sentence
The reporter was criticized for his characterization of the people of the town as poor and uneducated.
News reporting requires accurate characterization.
The class discussed the author's characterization of the boy as someone who wanted to be accepted by others.
The story has good characterization.
Recent Examples on the Web
Asked about now-unavailable data and information, a spokesman for Kennedy said the premise of the Associated Press’ inquiry was flawed and relied on selective and inaccurate characterizations.
—
Mike Stobbe, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
There’s something about studying real-life situations that have happened and then creating and imagining into this fictional kind of characterization of things.
—Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026
The administration's characterization has drawn intense concern from Second Amendment advocates, including the National Rifle Association.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 14 Feb. 2026
That’s the explanation given for a lot of Heathcliff’s decision-making in Wuthering Heights, and the film makes a number of changes to the source material to support that characterization.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for characterization
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Mike Stobbe, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
There’s something about studying real-life situations that have happened and then creating and imagining into this fictional kind of characterization of things.
—Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026
The administration's characterization has drawn intense concern from Second Amendment advocates, including the National Rifle Association.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 14 Feb. 2026
That’s the explanation given for a lot of Heathcliff’s decision-making in Wuthering Heights, and the film makes a number of changes to the source material to support that characterization.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for characterization
Cite this Entry
“Characterization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/characterization. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
characterization
noun
char·ac·ter·i·za·tion
ˌkar-ik-tə-rə-ˈzā-shən
1
: the act of characterizing
2
: the creation of characters (as in a book or play)
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