1
as in to define
to give the rules about (something) clearly and exactly
the document specifies precisely how you may use the information it contains
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to mention
to make reference to or speak about briefly but specifically
police reports didn't specify the model of car the robbers were driving
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of specify
The changes were initiated by the Homeland Security Department, the current official said, without specifying which cities were impacted.
—
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
The lawsuit did not specify when this allegedly happened.
—Tresa Baldas, Freep.com, 28 Oct. 2025
Although Wright had specified that the slip should be green, the costume designer landed on the exact shade by layering three different fabrics over each other, before asking an expert dyer to recreate the color.
—Emily Chan, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2025
The agency did not specify when the arrests occurred or provide the identities of the suspects.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for specify
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
The lawsuit did not specify when this allegedly happened.
—Tresa Baldas, Freep.com, 28 Oct. 2025
Although Wright had specified that the slip should be green, the costume designer landed on the exact shade by layering three different fabrics over each other, before asking an expert dyer to recreate the color.
—Emily Chan, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2025
The agency did not specify when the arrests occurred or provide the identities of the suspects.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for specify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for specify
Verb
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Becky Lynch is ensuring that her reign as Women's Intercontinental Champion is defined by controversy and confidence.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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In Italy, a bill to introduce consent as the central element in defining rape was proposed in February last year and is under review.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Mikie Sherrill, the successful Democratic candidate for governor of New Jersey, made freezing electric rates a centerpiece of her victorious campaign, and got huge applause in mentioning the issue in her victory speech.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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Ciattarelli called Sherrill to congratulate her on the results and did not mention Trump in his address.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In 2024 alone, one in four Americans with type 2 diabetes were prescribed a GLP-1, according to a report from the National Center for Health Statistics.—
Caroline C. Boyle,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
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Court records show that Diaz, Trujillo and Lorenzo distributed Oxycodone prescribed by a doctor who ran two pain management clinics, including East and West Medical Office in Hialeah.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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She also was cited on suspicion of disobeying a police officer, a petty offense that carries a fine.—
Nicquel Terry Ellis,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
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Jason Olson was cited for resisting arrest, interfering with a crime scene investigation and obstruction of government operations, according to FOX 10.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Harvey brings a distinctive approach to the nuclear narrative, one shaped by childhood memories of hearing about French President Jacques Chirac and the Rainbow Warrior bombing, but noticing the absence of First Nations voices in those stories.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
4 Nov. 2025
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Victims may not notice until much later, when more money has been taken.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The two companies remain in talks, although neither company indicated when customers can expect programming to resume.—
Liam Reilly,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
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Whenever the data clearly indicates that one alternative is superior to all the others — but never before that point — a scientific revolution is likely to follow.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Edis, chief of the Landon family office and a protégé of its founder, the late swashbuckling billionaire Timothy Landon, who’s legendary as the chief political advisor to his military school chum, the sultan of Oman, notes that Swain gives Houlihan Lokey an extra edge.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
1 Nov. 2025
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Rate cuts and some greater clarity around trade deals and tariffs were supposed to fuel a rebound in hiring heading into 2026, noted Nicole Bachaud, labor economist at employment site ZipRecruiter.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Even rarer than that, Thomas Jefferson was quoted — prominently and at length — in the spot where a guitar solo might have gone.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
2 Nov. 2025
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In just a few days, a Karl Marx-quoting communist who has struggled to disavow Hamas is likely to be elected the next mayor of the nation's financial and cultural epicenter.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Specify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specify. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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