1
as in to trace
to draw or make apparent the outline of
the glass skyscraper's sleek silhouette was strikingly defined by the setting sun to its west
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
3
as in to characterize
to point out the chief quality or qualities of an individual or group
a woman who is defined by her unswerving loyalty to her friends
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to specify
to give the rules about (something) clearly and exactly
let me define the task so that there is no doubt in your minds about what needs to be done
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of define
There is no immediate indication that such discrimination, as defined by President Donald Trump’s State Department, took place under Biden.
—
Matthew Lee, Chicago Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
The report tracked stars — defined as players who were All-Stars or All-NBA selections in the current season or two prior seasons — across five decades.
—Christian Clark, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
But businesses need stability to make the kinds of major capital investments that building new factories in this country requires, not a climate defined by ninety-day pauses and abrupt reversals.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2025
Material in low-Earth orbit, defined as less than 200km from Earth, is intended to re-enter the atmosphere and burn up.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for define
Matthew Lee, Chicago Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
The report tracked stars — defined as players who were All-Stars or All-NBA selections in the current season or two prior seasons — across five decades.
—Christian Clark, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
But businesses need stability to make the kinds of major capital investments that building new factories in this country requires, not a climate defined by ninety-day pauses and abrupt reversals.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2025
Material in low-Earth orbit, defined as less than 200km from Earth, is intended to re-enter the atmosphere and burn up.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for define
Recent Examples of Synonyms for define
Verb
-
Over the course of more than a decade, the Kendall Jenner school of style’s codes can be traced through her Coachella outfits of choice.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
13 Apr. 2025
-
While very personal, each of these reactions can be traced back to our evolution: our primal need for reproduction, protection and survival.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Born in Naples, his songs are described as a blend of Neapolitan, blues, jazz and world music.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2025
-
The problem described in the lawsuit is that even for domestic travel, if a driver's license and passport identify a person by different sexes, Transportation Security Administration officials accuse the person of holding a fraudulent document.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The Down-to-Earth Pope In a historic moment characterized by autocrats and would-be autocrats, Francis was the antithesis of a strongman.—
Bluesky Social,
Bluesky Social,
21 Apr. 2025
-
In today's business environment, characterized by rapid technological evolution, application modernization has become an essential strategic step to ensure the competitiveness and efficiency of organizations.—
Manuel Sanchez,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
In her account posted on Wednesday, April 9, the woman — who does not specify her own age — explained that a 17-year-old family member gave birth to her first baby the previous day.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
20 Apr. 2025
-
The state police did not specify when the DNA profile was created.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The letters, which were described to Reuters by four people familiar with their contents, outlined the Chinese position as well as the need for multipolarity and for countries to stand together.—
Beijing and Washington Bureaus,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Ida Kassa Johannesen Head of commercial ESG at Saxo Bank Goldman’s Della Vigna outlined three reasons to back-up his view on why ESG investors should bring oil and gas stocks in from the cold.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
This meant that our view was not limited to the inside of one building.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2025
-
But Kessler only said the informant had identified Abrego Garcia as a gang member, and her decision was limited to the question of whether to release him from custody.—
Rebecca Beitsch,
The Hill,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
In the 1998 classic — which saw Lindsay Lohan in her film debut — Quaid portrayed vineyard owner Nick Parker, the father of twins Hallie and Annie (both Lohan), who convince him to reunite with their mother Elizabeth (played by Natasha Richardson).—
Brendan Le,
People.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
The Oscar winner portrays a former president leading an investigation in the aftermath of a deadly national cyber attack.—
Liz Rothaus Bertrand,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
This expansive novel delineates the multigenerational fallout from a young bride’s impulsive decision to leave her new husband for his best friend.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
7 Apr. 2025
-
Pay special attention to the way the architectural details guide you through the rooms—ceiling lines delineate spaces for lounging and function, and the narrow, sliced windows in the bedroom and living spaces frame painting-like views of the landscape.—
Tim Nelson,
Architectural Digest,
31 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Define.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/define. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share