characterization
noun
char·ac·ter·i·za·tion
ˌker-ik-t(ə-)rə-ˈzā-shən 
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
Bartender Hezron Stephenson speaks out about the Daily Mail’s characterization of his story in a video published on TikTok.
—
Glamour, 24 May 2025
The participants will explore the physicality of acting and characterization which are essential for performance.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 22 May 2025
But Conway’s characterization is too thin to hold our interest.
—Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
That’s how evocative Goodman’s writing and characterization were to me.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for characterization
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Glamour, 24 May 2025
The participants will explore the physicality of acting and characterization which are essential for performance.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 22 May 2025
But Conway’s characterization is too thin to hold our interest.
—Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
That’s how evocative Goodman’s writing and characterization were to me.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for characterization
Cite this Entry
“Characterization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/characterization. Accessed 30 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
characterization
noun
char·ac·ter·i·za·tion
ˌkar-ik-tə-rə-ˈzā-shən
1
: the act of characterizing
2
: the creation of characters (as in a book or play)
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