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
Once Puma reached space as well, the vehicles were tasked with rapid acquisition, rendezvousing and assessment operations to simulate the interception and characterization of potential adversary spacecraft.
—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
3 July 2026
Other insiders dispute this characterization, saying Gunn, Safran and Gillespie had the normal amount of healthy friction any filmmaker and studio have as part of the process of making a movie better.
—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
3 July 2026
The company says the claims contain flawed conclusions and rejects the characterization of the technology as a botnet.
—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
3 July 2026
As questions have been put to Farage about the generous gift from Harborne, his characterizations of its purpose have been confusing at best and contradictory at worst.
—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for characterization
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.
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
3 July 2026
Other insiders dispute this characterization, saying Gunn, Safran and Gillespie had the normal amount of healthy friction any filmmaker and studio have as part of the process of making a movie better.
—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
3 July 2026
The company says the claims contain flawed conclusions and rejects the characterization of the technology as a botnet.
—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
3 July 2026
As questions have been put to Farage about the generous gift from Harborne, his characterizations of its purpose have been confusing at best and contradictory at worst.
—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
28 June 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 5 Jul. 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)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
