delineated
adjective
de·lin·eat·ed
di-ˈli-nē-ˌā-təd 
dē-
1
a
: having or forming clear edges or boundaries
Deserts are wildly heterogeneous, composed of numerous, disparate, sharply delineated microenvironments.—
Bil Gilbert
Bil GilbertThese tumors tend to be invasive and extend beyond delineated margins.—Dennis P. O'Brien and Joan R. Coates
Dennis P. O'Brien and Joan R. Coates
b
: marked with drawn or painted lines
delineated bike lanes
the delineated areas of the map
2
: described or portrayed with accuracy or in detail
… the military, with its clearly delineated roles, ranks, chains of command, and reservations of authority.—Eric J. McNulty
Eric J. McNultySynonyms of delineated
Examples of delineated in a Sentence
the finely delineated characters of the novel will seem real to the reader
Recent Examples on the Web
Characters are not strongly delineated in this version.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026
Precisely delineated with colored pencil, Sully’s pictures look simultaneously naive and urbanely sophisticated.
—Susan Tallman, The Atlantic, 2 Feb. 2026
Every chapter has four clearly delineated elements: The Myth, The Facts, The Logic and What To Do, as well as a helpful overview, Recommendation.
—Larry D. Urish, Oc Register, 30 Jan. 2026
Ideally, sapphires’ stars are thought best when clearly, geometrically delineated, unsullied by contaminant minerals or whorls within the molecular grain of the stone.
—Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Both create delineated characters quickly and add humor and drama to the production.
—Mary Damiano, Miami Herald, 2 Dec. 2025
Such ambiguity ran contrary to Seiwert’s aesthetics and politics, which privileged clearly delineated types in exemplary class struggle.
—Noam M. Elcott, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2025
In many ways Alpine Europe is delineated not by nationality but by geography and culture.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Sep. 2025
During the last round of labor negotiations with the NFLPA in 2020, the league pushed new language that more clearly delineated what gets shared in the event of a sale like this.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 5 Aug. 2025
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Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026
Precisely delineated with colored pencil, Sully’s pictures look simultaneously naive and urbanely sophisticated.
—Susan Tallman, The Atlantic, 2 Feb. 2026
Every chapter has four clearly delineated elements: The Myth, The Facts, The Logic and What To Do, as well as a helpful overview, Recommendation.
—Larry D. Urish, Oc Register, 30 Jan. 2026
Ideally, sapphires’ stars are thought best when clearly, geometrically delineated, unsullied by contaminant minerals or whorls within the molecular grain of the stone.
—Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Both create delineated characters quickly and add humor and drama to the production.
—Mary Damiano, Miami Herald, 2 Dec. 2025
Such ambiguity ran contrary to Seiwert’s aesthetics and politics, which privileged clearly delineated types in exemplary class struggle.
—Noam M. Elcott, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2025
In many ways Alpine Europe is delineated not by nationality but by geography and culture.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Sep. 2025
During the last round of labor negotiations with the NFLPA in 2020, the league pushed new language that more clearly delineated what gets shared in the event of a sale like this.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Delineated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/delineated. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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