Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb characterize

2 senses of characterize

Sense 1
qualify, characterize, characterise -- (describe or portray the character or the qualities or peculiarities of; "You can characterize his behavior as that of an egotist"; "This poem can be characterized as a lament for a dead lover")
       => remember, think of -- (keep in mind for attention or consideration; "Remember the Alamo"; "Remember to call your mother every day!"; "Think of the starving children in India!")

Sense 2
characterize, characterise -- (be characteristic of; "What characterizes a Venetian painting?")
       => distinguish, mark, differentiate -- (be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait; sometimes in a very positive sense; "His modesty distinguishes him from his peers")