characterization

noun

char·​ac·​ter·​i·​za·​tion ˌker-ik-t(ə-)rə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce characterization (audio)
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 Several justices pushed back Monday on the states’ characterizations of those messages and pointed out inaccuracies in their filings. Cat Zakrzewski, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2024 Sam has been involved in acting workshops, showcases and plays which have given him immeasurable training in characterization, acting styles and techniques. Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 17 Mar. 2024 Lacy took issue with law enforcement’s characterization of the situation, arguing that officers should have used de-escalating techniques rather than resorting to lethal force. Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024 On the other hand, leaning hard into the report, producing scores of stories and television segments about Hur’s characterization of Biden’s age, proved ultimately to be unwise as well. Oliver Darcy, CNN, 13 Mar. 2024 And so, along with the legal conclusion comes this flood of characterizations, factual misstatements, pejorative comments about the president that are inconsistent with DOJ policy and norms. Emma Colton, Fox News, 13 Feb. 2024 In November 2023, Hunter Biden’s attorneys went on the offensive against Bobulinski, asking prosecutors to open an investigation into his former partner for making false statements to the FBI in his characterization of Hunter’s business deals and President Biden’s knowledge of them. Zachary Folk, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024 What Are Crypto Points The definition and characterization of crypto points is going to vary from project to project but a working definition is that crypto points are off-chain tokens given to users of a platform or project as a reward for certain activities. Sean Stein Smith, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 This time, the movie is notably up front about Celie’s queerness, offers more nuanced characterizations of the story’s Black men and dwells less on Celie’s abuse than on her ascendance from difficult circumstance. Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 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.

Word History

Etymology

see character entry 1

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of characterization was in 1841

Dictionary Entries Near characterization

Cite this Entry

“Characterization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/characterization. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

characterization

noun
char·​ac·​ter·​i·​za·​tion ˌkar-ik-tə-rə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce characterization (audio)
1
: the act of characterizing
2
: the creation of characters (as in a book or play)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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