1
as in to depict
to give a representation or account of in words
he tried to describe the dream he had last night as accurately as he could
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to tell
to give an oral or written account of in some detail
a biography of Washington that describes the decisive Battle of Yorktown at great length
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to characterize
to point out the chief quality or qualities of an individual or group
how would you describe the Inupiat people you encountered in Alaska?
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 describe
Google's documentation about the Titan Security Key consists of a few support pages that describe how to use the key with computers and devices.
—
PC Magazine, 12 Oct. 2025
Other weapons on display included shorter-range ballistic, cruise and hypersonic missiles, which the North previously described as capable of delivering nuclear strikes against targets in South Korea.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2025
The novel application of the existing test is described in preliminary, first-of-its-kind research to be presented Tuesday at the 38th ECNP (European College of Neuropsychopharmacology) Congress in Amsterdam.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025
The Cut described the memory care unit in a bleak manner.
—Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for describe
PC Magazine, 12 Oct. 2025
Other weapons on display included shorter-range ballistic, cruise and hypersonic missiles, which the North previously described as capable of delivering nuclear strikes against targets in South Korea.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2025
The novel application of the existing test is described in preliminary, first-of-its-kind research to be presented Tuesday at the 38th ECNP (European College of Neuropsychopharmacology) Congress in Amsterdam.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025
The Cut described the memory care unit in a bleak manner.
—Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for describe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for describe
Verb
-
Joist ceilings are painted white, and wallpaper depicting pink roses is stretched across a wall.—
Lyndsay C. Green,
Freep.com,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Chef Amosu shared his inspiration for this momentous occasion and why having ownership of narratives that depict the cultures of Africa matters.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Essence,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Trump told Fox News later Wednesday that the hostages would probably be released on Monday.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
-
The percentage tells the public how much of the fire perimeter is believed to not go beyond the control lines.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Both sides characterize the conflict as a form of war.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Roughly halfway through the hour-long debate — largely characterized by frequent interruptions from Earle-Sears — Spanberger criticized Earle-Sears’ history of opposition to LGBTQ+ rights.—
Samantha Riedel,
Them.,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The video portrays Figure 03 as a cutting-edge robot butler, which can wirelessly recharge itself through its feet by standing on a platform.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Split the Sky is a powerful story for those who value seeing Black youth portrayed with complexity and strength.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Essence,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Hanke relates that it was riddled with loopholes that handed the Banco Central de la República Argentina discretionary monetary powers.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
8 Oct. 2025
-
This is interesting because the two teams feature several players who are related, a fact that does not come up very often.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
If the peace holds, the region could enter a new era defined less by conflict than by the possibility of transformation, including the rebuilding of a post-Hamas Gaza and the normalization of Israeli relations with Saudi Arabia.—
Eric Cortellessa,
Time,
11 Oct. 2025
-
That same headbanging energy has defined her steady, albeit unconventional, political rise.—
Hanako Montgomery,
CNN Money,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Lou Tingle's vast merit badge collection from his days with Troop 228 illustrated just how much more Steiger had to learn about survival, agriculture, craftsmanship and life in general.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
9 Oct. 2025
-
The video illustrates allegations that first surfaced in a probable cause affidavit unsealed after Kohberger's arrest — which revealed that a neighbor's camera picked up sounds of a struggle followed by a dog's barking.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Grown-ish actress went on to recount exactly what the moment felt like from her perspective.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Monster recounts a budding romance between the serial killer and a friendly woman named Adeline Watkins (Suzanna Son), who was pivotal in his murder decisions.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Describe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/describe. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share