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
This is a flatly inaccurate characterization of the law.
—
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements.
—Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024
The special counsel’s report was something of a gift to outlets like Fox News, which used the special counsel’s characterization to validate its years of ugly attacks on Biden.
—Oliver Darcy, CNN, 13 Mar. 2024
Biden aides defended the president’s inaccurate characterization of the interview during his press conference last month, describing his response as visceral and emotional.
—Chris Megerian, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2024
Meanwhile, Democrats came to the president's defense, while criticizing the former special counsel's characterization of Mr. Biden's memory.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2024
The trouble for him is that this characterization is at odds with reality: the United States has bounced back from the global pandemic far stronger than either its European competitors or China, and the country is safer and more prosperous than when Trump was in the White House.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2024
In his own statement to Billboard, Freundlich disputed Pharrell’s characterization of the situation.
—Bill Donahue, Billboard, 1 Apr. 2024
Statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements.
—Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2024
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements.
—Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024
The special counsel’s report was something of a gift to outlets like Fox News, which used the special counsel’s characterization to validate its years of ugly attacks on Biden.
—Oliver Darcy, CNN, 13 Mar. 2024
Biden aides defended the president’s inaccurate characterization of the interview during his press conference last month, describing his response as visceral and emotional.
—Chris Megerian, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2024
Meanwhile, Democrats came to the president's defense, while criticizing the former special counsel's characterization of Mr. Biden's memory.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2024
The trouble for him is that this characterization is at odds with reality: the United States has bounced back from the global pandemic far stronger than either its European competitors or China, and the country is safer and more prosperous than when Trump was in the White House.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2024
In his own statement to Billboard, Freundlich disputed Pharrell’s characterization of the situation.
—Bill Donahue, Billboard, 1 Apr. 2024
Statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements.
—Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'characterization.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near characterization
Cite this Entry
“Characterization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/characterization. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
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)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share