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
There is also uncertainty regarding the tax characterization of the payments the investors receive.
—
Schuyler Moore, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
However, his attorney, Christopher Frost, issued a statement via a spokesperson, portraying his client as the unwitting mark of both Mauriss and Robinson—a characterization both of those men would strongly dispute.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Misinformation perpetuates a negative characterization of cafeteria food, even though many children get their healthiest meal of the day at school.
—Oona Hanson, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2025
And The Greatest, Ali’s autobiography written with Richard Durham, a renowned Black journalist and former editor of a newspaper for the Nation of Islam, may not be entirely reliable in its characterization of Ali’s sentiments.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for characterization
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Schuyler Moore, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
However, his attorney, Christopher Frost, issued a statement via a spokesperson, portraying his client as the unwitting mark of both Mauriss and Robinson—a characterization both of those men would strongly dispute.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Misinformation perpetuates a negative characterization of cafeteria food, even though many children get their healthiest meal of the day at school.
—Oona Hanson, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2025
And The Greatest, Ali’s autobiography written with Richard Durham, a renowned Black journalist and former editor of a newspaper for the Nation of Islam, may not be entirely reliable in its characterization of Ali’s sentiments.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for characterization
Cite this Entry
“Characterization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/characterization. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
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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