characterization

noun

char·​ac·​ter·​i·​za·​tion ˌker-ik-t(ə-)rə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce characterization (audio)
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
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.
Israel denounces any characterization of their treatment of Palestinians as apartheid as antisemitic. — Kareem Khadder, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2025 So here’s the short take: Washington is fine, a bit unsure of his characterization occasionally and fitful in his mood shifts. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2025 Just a few years later, in 1929, Russell, who had told her to soften her characterizations of her findings, published a journal article arriving at the same conclusion as Payne-Gaposchkin: that hydrogen and helium constitute most of the sun, using different methods. — Elizabeth Landau, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Mar. 2025 These are full-fledged emotional characterizations. — Armond White, National Review, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for characterization

Word History

Etymology

see character entry 1

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of characterization was in 1841

Phrases Containing characterization

Rhymes for characterization

See All Rhymes for characterization

Browse Nearby Words

characterizable
characterization
characterize
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Cite this Entry

“Characterization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/characterization. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

characterization

noun
char·​ac·​ter·​i·​za·​tion ˌkar-ik-tə-rə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce characterization (audio)
1
: the act of characterizing
2
: the creation of characters (as in a book or play)

More from Merriam-Webster on characterization

Nglish: Translation of characterization for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about characterization

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