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
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Recent Examples of define
For more than a decade, the series was defined instead by its lack of definition—at least, beyond having Cruise in the lead role as Ethan Hunt, and Ving Rhames recur as Hunt’s ally.
—
Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 31 May 2025
Grit and struggle defined the early years of DoorDash.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 31 May 2025
The performance was raw, electric, and filled with empathy—traits that defined Cash at his most authentic.
—Tribune Content Agency, Mercury News, 30 May 2025
And the best ones dominate their positions, defining that role not just at Real, but within football.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for define
Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 31 May 2025
Grit and struggle defined the early years of DoorDash.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 31 May 2025
The performance was raw, electric, and filled with empathy—traits that defined Cash at his most authentic.
—Tribune Content Agency, Mercury News, 30 May 2025
And the best ones dominate their positions, defining that role not just at Real, but within football.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for define
Recent Examples of Synonyms for define
Verb
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The Arizona State University research team measured more than two decades of NASA satellite observations and used land modeling to trace how groundwater tables in the Colorado River basin were dwindling.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
31 May 2025
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Many of those groups have funding sources that have been difficult to trace and have funnelled billions of dollars to conservative causes, including groups that had been preparing for Trump’s second term.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
30 May 2025
Verb
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Hatfield did not say whether San Diego Pride had changed Kehlani’s contract as Gloria described.—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 June 2025
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And that's just the juiciest of the various cases described in a new paper published in the journal Criminal Law Forum.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
6 June 2025
Verb
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The outline of the initial report — a contract extension for Crow-Armstrong potentially worth around $75 million — has been characterized as inaccurate.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
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Scott, a former two-term governor of the Sunshine State and no stranger to working with the agency while battling major hurricanes, characterized FEMA as rife with fraud that does little more than write checks for post-disaster cleanup.—
Hailey Bullis,
The Washington Examiner,
26 May 2025
Verb
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The department did not specify exactly how many people were in custody as of Friday afternoon.—
Madeline Buckley,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2025
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Musk did not specify the context in which Trump is allegedly in the files.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
Verb
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The document, dated November 2022 and obtained by NGO Monitor, outlines the U.K.'s humanitarian strategy in the occupied Palestinian territories.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2025
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On trips unrelated to the war, his plane is typically accompanied by military fighter jets and so the incident as outlined by authorities in which his helicopter came under fire would be an egregious security failure, the publication said, citing military expert Ivan Stupak.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 May 2025
Verb
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More models, more miles and more charging stations A few years ago, EV choices were limited to mostly compact sedans or pricey luxury cars.—
Melanie Marshall,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 June 2025
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Doubts over London’s stock market haven’t been limited to tech, though.—
Ryan Browne,
CNBC,
5 June 2025
Verb
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Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories Tony Martinez as Pepino Garcia Tony Martinez portrayed Pepino, the McCoys’ farmhand who often served as comic relief.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
31 May 2025
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According to Salvador, Maje portrayed herself as a victim of psychological and physical abuse.—
Isadora Wandermurem,
Time,
30 May 2025
Verb
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This can only occur if both parties clearly delineate their skills and goals of their business.—
Kate Wieczorek,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
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From 1875 to 1929 it was delineated by a simple circle outlined in chalk (hence the name), but today the circle is much more esteemed with presentation stands and roses planted in the shape of a horseshoe.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Define.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/define. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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