1
as in tracing
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 describing
to mark the limits of
the river defines the town on the south
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in characterizing
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 specifying
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
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Recent Examples of defining
But the God-fearing, first-time candidate is hoping to appeal to Florida voters at a time that the Democratic Party is struggling trying to find relevance or a defining identity in the MAGA era.
—
Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2025
The video was a career-defining event, and in its aftermath D’Angelo developed complicated feelings about it.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2025
Anchored atop the pectoralis muscle, this circular ligament resembles a sturdy rubberband, defining the perimeter of the breast and containing the breast tissue.
—Jolene Edgar, Allure, 15 Oct. 2025
Belts are a must-have for spring 2026 with chunky, sculptural styles defining the season’s layered looks.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
With over four billion views across short-form video platforms, the album has become a defining music moment of 2025 and a crucial part of the film’s cultural impact, Apple noted in its release.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2025
Productions — knew the project would become career-defining.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2025
This absence of shame is a defining generational factor.
—Glynnis MacNicol, Flow Space, 8 Oct. 2025
The defining goal of every move this organization makes revolves around handing the ball over to Burrow, Chase and Higgins in January.
—Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2025
The video was a career-defining event, and in its aftermath D’Angelo developed complicated feelings about it.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2025
Anchored atop the pectoralis muscle, this circular ligament resembles a sturdy rubberband, defining the perimeter of the breast and containing the breast tissue.
—Jolene Edgar, Allure, 15 Oct. 2025
Belts are a must-have for spring 2026 with chunky, sculptural styles defining the season’s layered looks.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
With over four billion views across short-form video platforms, the album has become a defining music moment of 2025 and a crucial part of the film’s cultural impact, Apple noted in its release.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2025
Productions — knew the project would become career-defining.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2025
This absence of shame is a defining generational factor.
—Glynnis MacNicol, Flow Space, 8 Oct. 2025
The defining goal of every move this organization makes revolves around handing the ball over to Burrow, Chase and Higgins in January.
—Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defining
Verb
-
Questlove on drums, Pino Palladino on bass, Saadiq dropping in, Roy Hargrove tracing trumpet lines through the ether.—
Marcus J. Moore,
Pitchfork,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Multiple projects invite audiences as co-creators, from participatory explorations to decade-long digital archives, tracing how the internet evolved from a space of eager creativity and connection to one where humans have become commodified as product.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Since their 23-9 win Sunday against the Browns, the Steelers have not minced words when describing the playing surface for the game.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Velasquez, who was wearing a seatbelt, was not injured and has not been charged in what officials are describing as an accident on a dark road.—
Susan Young,
PEOPLE,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, condemned the protest, characterizing it as an attempt to obstruct law enforcement operations.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
-
In an amicus brief filed to the Supreme Court, the American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association and 12 other professional bodies argued that characterizing talk therapy as mere speech fundamentally misunderstands its therapeutic use and purpose.—
Allison Parshall,
Scientific American,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Zydlewski worked with Collins’s office to revise Sea Grant’s funding application, specifying how the program aligned with Administration priorities.—
Emma Green,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Approximately 50 soldiers guarding the vehicles attempted to repel the attackers, presidential spokesperson Carolina Jaramillo said, without specifying whether anyone was injured.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The document outlining the proposal was obtained by multiple outlets.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Namely, the show played a brief montage outlining the history between Behar, Plaza, and the ghosts that The View host has allegedly slept with.—
James Factora,
Them.,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The trailer hints at a lavish production, with Sharpe playing a mischievous Mozart, bounding through a stately home and jumping to reach a chandelier.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Look for bald eagles perched in trees, tidepools gleaming with life, and dogs bounding through the surf.—
Becca Blond,
AFAR Media,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Andrew Garfield is leading the feature that is now in production, portraying the leader of a ferocious rebellion against the tyranny of King Richard II.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Trump then spoke before the Israeli Knesset, portraying the ceasefire as a personal and unparalleled victory.—
Ruth Margalit,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Ohio State flustered the Illinois offense and quarterback Luke Altmyer, holding them to just 47 yards rushing and limiting an offense that thrives on explosive passing plays.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
-
And the state is trying to push Russians who bought their phone before September 1 to adopt Max by limiting access to other messenger apps.—
Justin Sherman,
The Atlantic,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defining. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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