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
Musk's characterization of the scandal echoed Islamophobic and anti-immigrant sentiments that boiled over in a wave of violence in the U.K. spurred by X posts last summer.
—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025
Advertisement Exactly how Cronin does this remains a mystery, but some insight was offered by how sophomore forward Eric Dailey Jr. responded to his characterization of the players.
—Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
On Monday, Levine Cava waved off the characterization of Cid’s hire as an example of newfound bipartisanship.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2025
Eggers counters that by deepening Ellen’s characterization, writing her as a woman more graphically torn apart by Nosferatu’s meddling and more distinctly driven to reclaim control over her own physicality and sexuality.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for characterization 
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Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025
Advertisement Exactly how Cronin does this remains a mystery, but some insight was offered by how sophomore forward Eric Dailey Jr. responded to his characterization of the players.
—Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
On Monday, Levine Cava waved off the characterization of Cid’s hire as an example of newfound bipartisanship.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2025
Eggers counters that by deepening Ellen’s characterization, writing her as a woman more graphically torn apart by Nosferatu’s meddling and more distinctly driven to reclaim control over her own physicality and sexuality.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for characterization
Dictionary Entries Near characterization
Cite this Entry
“Characterization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/characterization. Accessed 18 Jan. 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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