Meaning & use
characterize
To describe the distinctive nature or features of someone or something, or to be a typical feature of it.
See it in a sentence
Critics characterized the novel as a dark, funny meditation on modern loneliness.
Heavy rainfall and mild winters characterize the region's climate throughout the year.
A note on using this word
Characterize often takes "as" when describing how something is portrayed, and can also mean "to be typical of."
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Make it your own
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