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
Lithgow’s performance suggests without any softening of tone or characterization that Dahl’s deep well of feeling for the suffering of children is the source of his harsh condemnation of Israel’s actions in Lebanon.
—
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
The ruling was slammed by Democrats across the nation and by the three more liberal justices on the high court, who rejected the conservative majority’s characterization that its decision upheld the Voting Rights Act rather than gutted it.
—Jack O'Connor, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
Hepburn disputed that characterization, saying the district cut a larger percentage of high-paying jobs.
—Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
Regardless of Google’s characterization of the investigation, the commission may force Google to make Android AI changes this summer.
—Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for characterization
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Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
The ruling was slammed by Democrats across the nation and by the three more liberal justices on the high court, who rejected the conservative majority’s characterization that its decision upheld the Voting Rights Act rather than gutted it.
—Jack O'Connor, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
Hepburn disputed that characterization, saying the district cut a larger percentage of high-paying jobs.
—Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
Regardless of Google’s characterization of the investigation, the commission may force Google to make Android AI changes this summer.
—Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for characterization
Cite this Entry
“Characterization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/characterization. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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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