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
Trump and his cabinet members have repeatedly characterized Khalil’s advocacy as antisemitic and inherently supportive of Hamas, though several of their efforts to target other international students critical of Israel have been blocked by the courts.
—
Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 5 June 2025
Many scholars would characterize their romance as the most consequential relationship of his life — and the origin of The Great Gatsby.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 5 June 2025
Migraine is a condition characterized by attacks that last from hours to days, with symptoms that are different for everyone.3
One of the most common symptoms of a migraine attack is moderate to severe throbbing pain that's typically only on one side of the head.
—Cathy Nelson, Verywell Health, 3 June 2025
The outline of the initial report — a contract extension for Crow-Armstrong potentially worth around $75 million — has been characterized as inaccurate.
—Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for characterize
Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 5 June 2025
Many scholars would characterize their romance as the most consequential relationship of his life — and the origin of The Great Gatsby.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 5 June 2025
Migraine is a condition characterized by attacks that last from hours to days, with symptoms that are different for everyone.3
One of the most common symptoms of a migraine attack is moderate to severe throbbing pain that's typically only on one side of the head.
—Cathy Nelson, Verywell Health, 3 June 2025
The outline of the initial report — a contract extension for Crow-Armstrong potentially worth around $75 million — has been characterized as inaccurate.
—Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for characterize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characterize
Verb
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Marcos Lopez, sheriff of Osceola County, Fla., was jailed in nearby Lake County on suspicion of racketeering and conspiracy as part of what state authorities described as a probe into an expansive gambling operation.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 June 2025
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And he was forever struck by the example of Peter’s family encouraging and challenging him — an approach that enabled Peter to work and ski and fish and live what Reid described as a normal life.—
Vahe Gregorian,
Kansas City Star,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Beyond his accolades, his journey distinguishes him in a field frequently focused on settlements rather than meaningful impacts.—
Jon Stojan,
USA Today,
15 June 2025
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Israel's retaliatory campaign has killed more than 55,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which has said women and children make up more than half of the dead but does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in count.—
WAFAA SHURAFA,
Arkansas Online,
15 June 2025
Verb
-
McDaniel and Schefter have portrayed Smith’s situation somewhat differently, subtly so, over the past two weeks.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
12 June 2025
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The non-Cuomo alternative candidates have sometimes portrayed Mamdani as green and unrealistic.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
12 June 2025
Verb
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His music is also a way for parents to connect with the club vibe that, for many, defined their pre-child years.—
Katie Bain,
Billboard,
13 June 2025
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The program defined orphans as children who had lost one or both parents to AIDS, and the children did not necessarily have HIV themselves.—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Characterize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characterize. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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