1
as in traces
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
as in describes
to mark the limits of
the river defines the town on the south
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in characterizes
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 specifies
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 defines
But that's not the only quality that defines him.
—
EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025
The World Health Organization defines burnout as an occupational phenomenon which is characterized by feelings of energy depletion, increased mental distance from one's job, and reduced professional efficacy.
—Daniel R. Depetris, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
If the messy balance of scholarship and marketplace which defines American universities is increasingly tipping to the market side, the President’s scheme of gaining power plays into that shift.
—Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2025
This is how psychiatrist Judith Orloff defines it, who is considered an expert on the subject, also being an empath herself.
—Tanyel Mustafa, Refinery29, 9 Apr. 2025
But with porosity, length, volume and other factors weighed into how our texture looks, what defines who has 4C hair and who doesn’t?
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 9 Apr. 2025
This one spot on the ice Ovechkin’s dominance on the ice from the left circle defines his legacy as the greatest goal scorer in NHL history.
—Rob Rossi, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
First-round talent, less than overall depth, defines the second wave of draft-eligible players from the final full Harbaugh team.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025
Georgia's personhood law defines a fetus as a person and is one of the broadest legislations, giving different rights such as tax breaks and child support to unborn children.
—Arkansas Online, 28 Mar. 2025
EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025
The World Health Organization defines burnout as an occupational phenomenon which is characterized by feelings of energy depletion, increased mental distance from one's job, and reduced professional efficacy.
—Daniel R. Depetris, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
If the messy balance of scholarship and marketplace which defines American universities is increasingly tipping to the market side, the President’s scheme of gaining power plays into that shift.
—Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2025
This is how psychiatrist Judith Orloff defines it, who is considered an expert on the subject, also being an empath herself.
—Tanyel Mustafa, Refinery29, 9 Apr. 2025
But with porosity, length, volume and other factors weighed into how our texture looks, what defines who has 4C hair and who doesn’t?
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 9 Apr. 2025
This one spot on the ice Ovechkin’s dominance on the ice from the left circle defines his legacy as the greatest goal scorer in NHL history.
—Rob Rossi, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
First-round talent, less than overall depth, defines the second wave of draft-eligible players from the final full Harbaugh team.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025
Georgia's personhood law defines a fetus as a person and is one of the broadest legislations, giving different rights such as tax breaks and child support to unborn children.
—Arkansas Online, 28 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defines
Verb
-
Beyond jolly attitudes among fund managers and other market participants, the phenomenon traces back to low trading volume and a lack of potentially harmful economic and earnings reports, though jolly attitudes among investors.—
Derek Saul,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
-
This supports the likelihood that the image is a fabrication that traces to a single source.—
Andre Byik,
USA TODAY,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The future Clark describes isn’t science fiction.—
Dan Pontefract,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
-
Google’s post about this feature describes it as a way to help you tune hearing aids into audio broadcasts, but the technology has wider applications.—
Rob Pegoraro,
PCMAG,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The categorization of personal skill types above only characterizes a person’s knowledge and expertise.—
Ming-Chien Chyu,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon characterizes the university protests as antisemitic harassment against Jewish students, alleging violation of Title IX of the Civil Rights Act.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacramento Bee,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The Constitution specifies the power of the purse is vested in Congress.—
Doug Criscitello,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
-
Moore and Harris signed a Memorandum of Understanding that specifies the franchise’s community and re-developmental responsibilities if the Commanders move to another property outside the state.—
Ben Standig,
The Athletic,
20 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The bill outlines more than a dozen aggravating factors under which prosecutors can seek the death penalty.—
Kyle Pfannenstiel,
Idaho Statesman,
25 Mar. 2025
-
The filing outlines various risks, including competition, regulatory challenges, and reliance on key customers and content creators.—
Quartz Intelligence Newsroom,
Quartz,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
But the story never leaves us with a sense that anything is incomplete, as Shear eloquently portrays the ways that near-misses can still feel like cataclysmic life events.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
8 Mar. 2025
-
The actress that portrays Vanessa, Lauren Buglioli, has been working steadily since the mid-2010s, with guest appearances on series like FBI and the Dynasty reboot (which also featured Goings), and films like Jessica Lange's The Great Lillian Hall and the horror anthology film Horror Noire.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
By absorbing strain energy during charging and discharging, this technology prevents cracks and limits electrode thickness fluctuations, ensuring greater stability.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Mar. 2025
-
The California Values Act, also known as Senate Bill 54, took effect in 2018 and limits how police in the state can work with federal immigration enforcement and also prevents police from investigating or arresting people for immigration enforcement purposes.—
Anabel Sosa,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Prince William is patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, which governs the game in Wales, while Princess Kate supports Rugby Football Union, its counterpart in England.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
15 Mar. 2025
-
Princess Kate, 43, is patron of the Rugby Football Union which governs the game in England, while Prince William, 42, is patron of the Welsh Rugby Union.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
13 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defines. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share