characterized

verb

past tense of characterize
1
as in described
to point out the chief quality or qualities of an individual or group how would you characterize the mission of this environmental organization?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in distinguished
to be an important feature of an unsightly rash characterizes chicken pox

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of characterized The result will be a continuation of the slow, attritional fighting that has characterized much of the war. — Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 Phoenix characterized the chips, established the programming approach, and verified the resulting devices before delivery. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026 Blanche and the president have characterized those cases as politically motivated. — Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 Medical uses Buprenorphine’s principal use is in the treatment of OUD, a chronic condition characterized by problematic opioid use despite harmful consequences. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026 Sesay characterized the persona as an alter ego — a provocative internet character that Andrew uses to attract attention, entertain an audience and make money. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026 El Niño events are characterized by hotter than average sea surface temperatures in the equatorial tropical Pacific Ocean, along with corresponding shifts in the atmospheric circulation throughout that region. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026 That deal, which attorneys characterized as verbal in nature, fell apart on the last day of trial and ended with a shouting match in the judge’s chambers, defense attorneys for Anthony testified. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Aug. 2026 Mark Ruffalo is pushing back against Paramount Skydance after the media giant characterized his anti-merger comments as antisemitic. — Angela Yang, NBC news, 23 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for characterized
  1. described
  2. distinguished
  3. portrayed
  4. marked
  5. defined
Verb
  • Anton, whose gaze at the couple can only be described as wistful.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Samba was born at the sanctuary Samba was born at Project Survival Cat Haven and lived there with her sister, Rose, according to Anderson, who described her as an unusually sweet animal with an exceptionally friendly personality.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of described
Verb
  • It's had a number of redesigns, but what distinguished it then, and still does now, is its cliff-perch above the Adriatic, its classic Mediterranean gardens, and its views of Old Town Dubrovnik and Lokrum Island.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The dining room, meanwhile, is distinguished by an ornate coffered ceiling.
    — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of distinguished
Verb
  • The two teenagers spend a summer at an alpine dairy farm in Austria, helping Tomy’s uncle, portrayed by Hannes Perkmann, with the milking and exploring the outdoors.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Love portrayed himself on Instagram as a 49ers wide receiver who went undrafted but worked his way onto the roster.
    — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of portrayed
Verb
  • The Gem State has long been marked by the tradition of Californians making the move to the state.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Sunset Lakes Elementary would be reconfigured as a K-8 school, but is not currently marked for closure.
    — Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of marked
Verb
  • The study defined high-exposure counties as having median annual emissions of 51 pounds of ethylbenzene and 44 pounds of toulene.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Spirit’s team created a warm mahogany-and-veneer interior defined by curves, with details such as fore-and-aft berths, a shower, a galley, and an electric head.
    — Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of defined

Browse Nearby Words

characterize
characterized
characterizes
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Cite this Entry

“Characterized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/characterized. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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