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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defining
This fan support led him to a United States Championship victory and an emotional, career-defining win in the ladder match for the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania 32.
—
Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
In Kathmandu, Nepal, where anger at the government boiled over in September 2025, the flag became the defining image as flames spread through the gates of Singha Durbar, Nepal’s ornate palace complex and seat of power.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2025
Regarding Carr’s comments about news distortion, the FCC also has a policy defining the scope of that regulation.
—Angele Latham, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Sep. 2025
Harris felt Shapiro was more concerned with defining his role in the administration than helping her win.
—Sydney Topf, The Washington Examiner, 23 Sep. 2025
After testing more than a dozen curl-defining products, our top overall pick is the Aveda Be Curly Advanced Curl Enhancer Cream.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 23 Sep. 2025
That emphasis on education has been a defining thread throughout Rotman’s career.
—William Jones, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Enhancements for air management included NACA ducts and the car’s character-defining rear wing.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 22 Sep. 2025
The West may think of his nation in terms of space-age technology and zeitgeist-defining cultural phenomena like KPop Demon Hunters, though in truth South Korea battles the lowest birth rate, top suicide rate, and highest youth unemployment of any developed nation.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
In Kathmandu, Nepal, where anger at the government boiled over in September 2025, the flag became the defining image as flames spread through the gates of Singha Durbar, Nepal’s ornate palace complex and seat of power.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2025
Regarding Carr’s comments about news distortion, the FCC also has a policy defining the scope of that regulation.
—Angele Latham, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Sep. 2025
Harris felt Shapiro was more concerned with defining his role in the administration than helping her win.
—Sydney Topf, The Washington Examiner, 23 Sep. 2025
After testing more than a dozen curl-defining products, our top overall pick is the Aveda Be Curly Advanced Curl Enhancer Cream.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 23 Sep. 2025
That emphasis on education has been a defining thread throughout Rotman’s career.
—William Jones, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Enhancements for air management included NACA ducts and the car’s character-defining rear wing.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 22 Sep. 2025
The West may think of his nation in terms of space-age technology and zeitgeist-defining cultural phenomena like KPop Demon Hunters, though in truth South Korea battles the lowest birth rate, top suicide rate, and highest youth unemployment of any developed nation.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defining
Verb
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Woods has grown up in Azle, with her roots tracing back to her grandparents, who also still live there.—
Rick Mauch,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Sep. 2025
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His mother, Hanan, recounts the history that brought them to that moment, tracing seven decades of displacement and survival.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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For Beijing, lunar missions such as the Chang’e program have been framed as national achievements, with officials openly describing helium-3 as a resource that could fuel China’s future energy needs for thousands of years.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Sep. 2025
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In a statement to ABC News Tuesday, Mattei blasted Martin over the letter describing it as the latest step in Jones' campaign of harassment targeting Aldenberg and the Sandy Hook families.—
Alexander Mallin,
ABC News,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Following Kirk's killing, Jezebel removed the original article, issuing a statement characterizing it as humor and reiterating that the publication condoned neither physical harm nor political violence.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Sep. 2025
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Longtime Pentagon press corps members and press freedom groups roundly condemned the move, characterizing it as an alarming shift away from decades of precedent set by previous administrations.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The vote — taken during a lightning-quick meeting without specifying the property or the reason for the transfer — was immediately followed by an announcement from Attorney General James Uthmeier that the state would dedicate the land to Trump’s library.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
23 Sep. 2025
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The Prosecutor's Office released a statement specifying that her vehicle was also found at the hotel.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The idea of outlining jobs where tips were regularly received last year also eliminates the temptation to redefine how people are paid to qualify for a new tax break.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
16 Sep. 2025
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The Ring Nebula lies in the constellation Lyra the Lyre (or Harp), between two of the four stars that make a little parallelogram allegedly outlining the little celestial harp.—
Mike Lynch,
Twin Cities,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Chip, the 3-year-old miniature dachshund, was filmed bounding toward the open door but immediately reconsidering after inspecting the dreary conditions outside his home in England.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
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The state has yet to provide any contemporary evidence of doubt that this crosswalk — on the road bounding the southern edge of the Pulse property — was a fitting part of the memorial.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Both samples found incels to be ethnically diverse as well, despite misconceptions portraying them in the media as white right-wingers.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Sep. 2025
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The scenes, set to an emotional melody, span over a year, portraying what the owner describes as a unique and moving journey of paternal care.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Tigers' defense has done a good job limiting rushing yards and clamping down in the second half of games.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
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Trump's second administration has prioritized rolling back protections for transgender people, including trying to bar trans women from playing sports, banning transgender troops from the military and limiting the ability to have government IDs that match their identity.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
20 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defining. Accessed 28 Sep. 2025.
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