Russian politics is often characterised as an absurd and elaborate piece of theatre.
And the Republic is undergoing a remaking itself, so radical that it might be characterised as an identity crisis.
I believe that the second siege of Fallujah can correctly be characterised as an "atrocity-producing situation".
The scramble for global commercial deals has long been characterised as an arms race between the biggest clubs in Europe.
The decision to hold an inquiry into the policy is a direct challenge to what David Cameron has characterised as an "act of self-defence" against Islamic State.
Spending on data is often characterised as an auxiliary activity – a luxury that competes with other potential activities for limited funds.
But he ultimately proved dispensable, always played second fiddle, and before he became Rocky's trainer, was deliberately characterised as an uppity, preening buppie.
First, that the licence fee – often now characterised as an unpleasant piece of regressive taxation – was in fact a passport to equality.
Tellingly, a wedding is not characterised as an opportunity to be a queen, and to enjoy the perhaps more distinguished, and potent, form of regality that implies.
Where once sharia was an organic and evolving body of law, emphasising mercy, tolerance and inclusiveness, it is now characterised as an instrument of control by post-colonial Muslim rulers searching for identity.
Ed Woodward, United's vice-chairman, said the club's finances were "solid" despite the absence from the Champions League, which he characterised as an ability to withstand "short-term headwinds".
