characterize
verb
char·ac·ter·ize
ˈker-ik-tə-ˌrīz 
ˈka-rik-
characterized; characterizing
1
: to describe the character (see character entry 1 sense 1a) or quality of
characterizes him as ambitious
2
: to be a characteristic of : distinguish
an era characterized by greed
Examples of characterize in a Sentence
How would you characterize the situation?
I would characterize this as a positive change for our company.
She had difficulty characterizing their relationship.
His personality is hard to characterize.
Farms and large flat fields characterize most of the area.
the beliefs that characterized Europe in the 15th century
Recent Examples on the Web
Cold Creek was planted in the 1970s and exists as one of the state’s oldest vineyards; its fruit is characterized by ripe fruit intensity which the winery balances by picking the grapes over a four week period to showcase varying sweetness levels for a complex palate in flavor and structure.
—
Jillian Dara, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
While central New South Wales is now characterized by plains and plateaus, during the Miocene, the region was surrounded by lush rainforests, according to the study.
—Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025
Democrats characterized the hearing as a distraction from more important issues, like this week's revelation that a journalist from The Atlantic was included in a text chain of Trump administration officials detailing a U.S. military strike in Yemen.
—Arkansas Online, 27 Mar. 2025
Family relationships in the film are characterized by reciprocal aid and support.
—Bartolomeo Sala, The Dial, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for characterize
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Jillian Dara, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
While central New South Wales is now characterized by plains and plateaus, during the Miocene, the region was surrounded by lush rainforests, according to the study.
—Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025
Democrats characterized the hearing as a distraction from more important issues, like this week's revelation that a journalist from The Atlantic was included in a text chain of Trump administration officials detailing a U.S. military strike in Yemen.
—Arkansas Online, 27 Mar. 2025
Family relationships in the film are characterized by reciprocal aid and support.
—Bartolomeo Sala, The Dial, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for characterize
Cite this Entry
“Characterize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/characterize. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
characterize
verb
char·ac·ter·ize
ˈkar-ik-tə-ˌrīz
characterized; characterizing
1
: to point out the character of an individual or group : describe
characterize him as ambitious
2
: to be characteristic of
tragic endings characterized her stories
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