DELINEATE Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

delineate

verb

di-ˈli-nē-ˌāt

Definition of delineate

as in to trace

to draw or make apparent the outline of the man's roly-poly shape was softly delineated by the glow of the fire

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to describe

to give a representation or account of in words the story does a remarkable job of delineating the emotions that immigrants feel upon their arrival in a strange country

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 delineate Some of them act as half walls, delineating the foyer, or partially separating the family room from the main salon. — Paola Singer, Architectural Digest, 18 June 2026 City centers across Europe and Asia were anchored for centuries by ancient seats of royalty and religion, and delineated by walls. — Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 10 June 2026 So, during today's press conference, Ars Technica's Eric Berger asked García-Galán and NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, who also participated in the event, if the MoonFall drones could help delineate a keep-out zone of sorts. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 26 May 2026 That might be news to you, because it’s not clearly delineated on the site. — Heather Hansman, Wired News, 19 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for delineate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for delineate

Verb

Every design decision, every hire, every operational standard should trace back to the emotional outcome the organization is trying to create.

— Nia Bowers, USA Today, 8 July 2026
The syndrome has been linked to migraines or traced to incidents of mini-seizures or strokes.

— David K. Li, NBC news, 8 July 2026

Definition of trace

Verb

Besides Miami, the trial — which Nelson describes as the first of its kind in the nation — will also be conducted at several other academic health centers in the country, as well as in Israel.

— Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026
People who knew Salgado Araujo described him as dependable and kind, according to a GoFundMe for his family.

— Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 9 July 2026

Definition of describe

Verb

The 21st Century Road to Housing Act was a striking bipartisan win in a legislative body that has been defined by partisan gridlock.

— Jack Harvel July 10, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
This allows manufacturers to bypass spinning, weaving, cutting or sewing — the multistage process that has defined apparel manufacturing for centuries.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 10 July 2026

Definition of define

Verb

Dalí included references to major events in Western history; for example, the Ten of Swords card depicts the stabbing of Julius Caesar, while the Queen of Cups is a jokey vandalism of François Clouet’s portrait Elisabeth of Austria, Queen of France.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026
The discovery of the painting, depicting the interior of Amsterdam’s Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) and likely by Dutch Golden Age painter Hendrick van der Burgh, has an unusual history, according to De Telegraaf, which first reported the news.

— Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 13 July 2026

Definition of depict

Verb

In the Tahoe Basin, the Caldor fire restoration plan outlines roughly 3,600 acres where the Forest Service could use ground crews to apply herbicide directly to shrubs — no aerial spraying.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
The board unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Hilda Solis, directing county attorneys to send a letter to Lineage Logistics outlining a list of demands and requirements, and asking that the company respond within 48 hours.

— City News Service, Daily News, 8 July 2026

Definition of outline

Verb

Interpreting the story as theater, said actor Manos Pintzis, who portrayed Odysseus in the local production, helps children discover mythology in a way books alone cannot.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2026
The character portrayed by the star of The Devil Wears Prada is the wife of Odysseus, played by Matt Damon, who spends ten years fighting in the Trojan War and another ten trying to return home.

— Alessia Ferri, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026

Definition of portray

Browse Nearby Words

delimits

delineate

delineated

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Style

“Delineate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delineate. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of delineate

verb

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