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
On Tuesday, a spokesperson for the DOJ office in Eastern Louisiana told Newsweek that a correction was issued pertaining to Jarrow's characterization.
—
Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
Pharrell Williams is another Black music mogul who’s been accused of signing young artists into bad deals and stealing money from colleagues, although his representatives have pushed back on the latter characterization.
—Kyndall Cunningham, Vox, 12 May 2025
And during follow up questions from the British press on the U.S-U.K. deal, Trump took a noticeably hostile tone when pressed on his characterization of the trade deal.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 11 May 2025
The three lawmakers at the scene — Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rob Menendez, and LaMonica McIver — sharply dispute DHS’s characterization of the incident.
—Erin Doherty, CNBC, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for characterization
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Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
Pharrell Williams is another Black music mogul who’s been accused of signing young artists into bad deals and stealing money from colleagues, although his representatives have pushed back on the latter characterization.
—Kyndall Cunningham, Vox, 12 May 2025
And during follow up questions from the British press on the U.S-U.K. deal, Trump took a noticeably hostile tone when pressed on his characterization of the trade deal.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 11 May 2025
The three lawmakers at the scene — Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rob Menendez, and LaMonica McIver — sharply dispute DHS’s characterization of the incident.
—Erin Doherty, CNBC, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for characterization
Cite this Entry
“Characterization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/characterization. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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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