1
as in described
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 distinguished
to be an important feature of
an unsightly rash characterizes chicken pox
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of characterized
El Niño describes a pattern characterized by warmer water in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
—
Los Angeles Times,
6 July 2026
In the public imagination, Novak Djokovic has tended to be characterized as the greatest defensive player in the history of men’s tennis, and, along with Andre Agassi, as the best returner.
—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
5 July 2026
The patriotism-to-cure-nationalism idea can be traced back to a classic essay by George Orwell, in which the writer characterized nationalism as a disease that grows on the ruins of religious faith and kinder, humbler forms of patriotism.
—
Dominic Erdozain,
Time,
3 July 2026
The standoff forces the platform to weigh compliance against a potentially expanding pattern of government control over social media — a tension that has also characterized India’s years-long friction with X over content-takedown orders.
—
Anisha Sircar,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
The early American songs and tunes were characterized by their simplicity and portability.
—
Ted Olson,
The Conversation,
2 July 2026
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
Los Angeles Times,
6 July 2026
In the public imagination, Novak Djokovic has tended to be characterized as the greatest defensive player in the history of men’s tennis, and, along with Andre Agassi, as the best returner.
—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
5 July 2026
The patriotism-to-cure-nationalism idea can be traced back to a classic essay by George Orwell, in which the writer characterized nationalism as a disease that grows on the ruins of religious faith and kinder, humbler forms of patriotism.
—
Dominic Erdozain,
Time,
3 July 2026
The standoff forces the platform to weigh compliance against a potentially expanding pattern of government control over social media — a tension that has also characterized India’s years-long friction with X over content-takedown orders.
—
Anisha Sircar,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
The early American songs and tunes were characterized by their simplicity and portability.
—
Ted Olson,
The Conversation,
2 July 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characterized
Verb
-
One person, described only as a male, was taken to a hospital in critical condition, according to fire officials.
-
Investigators previously described the suspect as a man, but during a news conference on Friday, prosecutors said Berezovsk was allegedly dressed as a man during the package bomb attack.
Verb
-
In addition, the Commission distinguished between the purposes of its various publications.
-
These spots can often be distinguished by the greener grass along the marginal areas, Spanenberg says.
Verb
-
Critics have portrayed the idea as anti-religious and ahistorical ever since the Supreme Court embraced it in 1947.
-
Only in these United States can the progeny of people once portrayed as parasites and invaders side with those making the same argument about the latest batch of newcomers.
Verb
-
While June 27 was a day to honor and celebrate Wiley, Turner said June 28 marked the beginning of the fight for answers and accountability.
-
Wednesday marked one year since an explosion at a Northern California fireworks facility killed seven workers and changed the lives of their families forever.
Verb
-
Size representation on the runway this season was defined by a more fragmented set of ideals.
-
Remarkably, in a game defined by the South American team’s lack of sportsmanship, this became the first World Cup game in which a Paraguay player did not receive a yellow card since 1998.
Cite this Entry
“Characterized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characterized. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
