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
The World Health Organization defines burnout as an occupational phenomenon which is characterized by feelings of energy depletion, increased mental distance from one's job, and reduced professional efficacy.
—
Daniel R. Depetris, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt tried to characterize the sudden change in policy as part of a grand negotiating strategy.
—Christopher Rugaber, Chicago Tribune, 10 Apr. 2025
There are some that will inevitably view this as more romanticized, pro-military propaganda, and others who will easily characterize this as more of an anti-war parable.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2025
Coral Gables residents headed to the polls Tuesday to decide on a mayor and two city commissioners in an election season characterized by mudslinging and allegations of intimidation.
—Tess Riski, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for characterize
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Daniel R. Depetris, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt tried to characterize the sudden change in policy as part of a grand negotiating strategy.
—Christopher Rugaber, Chicago Tribune, 10 Apr. 2025
There are some that will inevitably view this as more romanticized, pro-military propaganda, and others who will easily characterize this as more of an anti-war parable.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2025
Coral Gables residents headed to the polls Tuesday to decide on a mayor and two city commissioners in an election season characterized by mudslinging and allegations of intimidation.
—Tess Riski, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 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 17 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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