1
as in to describe
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
Relevance
2
as in to distinguish
to be an important feature of
an unsightly rash characterizes chicken pox
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of characterize
Although rabies is characterized in media as causing unchecked fury, agitation and aggression are just two symptoms.
—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
PEOPLE,
2 July 2026
The two were married in 2015 and divorced in 2018, but characterized the split as amicable and have remained close.
—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 July 2026
The bombings that have characterized the last few years of the last year of the ’60s have continued.
—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
2 July 2026
He was particularly disturbed by administration officials' attempts to characterize both as domestic terrorists.
—
Jude Joffe-Block,
NPR,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for characterize
Cara Lynn Shultz,
PEOPLE,
2 July 2026
The two were married in 2015 and divorced in 2018, but characterized the split as amicable and have remained close.
—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 July 2026
The bombings that have characterized the last few years of the last year of the ’60s have continued.
—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
2 July 2026
He was particularly disturbed by administration officials' attempts to characterize both as domestic terrorists.
—
Jude Joffe-Block,
NPR,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for characterize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characterize
Verb
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Tribes describe the last of three waves of European incursions, nearly 85 years after Serra hung the first Mission bell in San Diego in 1769, as the most brutal.
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Rodríguez described scenes of children hospitalized with amputations and survivors grieving multiple family deaths.
Verb
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Weather became a way to distinguish Elle from those around her in Seattle.
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Kelce spotlighting Swift’s intelligence A true golden retriever boyfriend distinguishes himself by appreciating his partner’s smarts.
Verb
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Matty Matheson, who portrays Neil Fak and serves as the show’s culinary consultant, initially believed taking props was off limits after receiving an email asking to refrain from removing anything from the show.
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Winkler portrayed his iconic character for all 11 seasons of the ABC sitcom, which originally aired from 1974 to 1984.
Verb
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Victor Willis, Village People’s lead singer, dies Victor Willis, lead singer of the Village People who helped define the disco movement of the 1970s, died June 30.
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Instead of looking only for escapements or technical innovation, Newman encourages appreciation of cases, dials, proportions, engraving, and overall design—the same qualities that define today’s most desirable independent watches.
Cite this Entry
“Characterize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characterize. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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