1
as in to trace
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
3
as in to characterize
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 to specify
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 define
Although the gravity of a black hole is intense—that’s its defining characteristic—the force drops off rapidly with distance.
—
Phil Plait, Scientific American, 24 Apr. 2026
The setting still reads like a scene from the film, from the dramatic approach over Biscayne Bay to the semicircular stainless steel and glass elevator that remains one of the home’s defining features, as seen in the clip below.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 24 Apr. 2026
Space is becoming home to critical infrastructure such as telecommunications satellites and Low Earth Orbit — which NASA defines as the stretch of space at an altitude of 2,000 km or less — attracted more than $45 billion worth of investment in 2025, up from $25 billion in 2024.
—Lucy Handley, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
In a state defined by elevation and aspiration, the 2025 Audi SQ5 feels like it was designed with our altitude-centric roads in mind.
—Chris Jackson, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for define
Phil Plait, Scientific American, 24 Apr. 2026
The setting still reads like a scene from the film, from the dramatic approach over Biscayne Bay to the semicircular stainless steel and glass elevator that remains one of the home’s defining features, as seen in the clip below.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 24 Apr. 2026
Space is becoming home to critical infrastructure such as telecommunications satellites and Low Earth Orbit — which NASA defines as the stretch of space at an altitude of 2,000 km or less — attracted more than $45 billion worth of investment in 2025, up from $25 billion in 2024.
—Lucy Handley, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
In a state defined by elevation and aspiration, the 2025 Audi SQ5 feels like it was designed with our altitude-centric roads in mind.
—Chris Jackson, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for define
Recent Examples of Synonyms for define
Verb
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State Department officials trace the roots of the ongoing conflict back to the Islamic Revolution in 1979 that gave rise to the Islamic Republic of Iran.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
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Limon’s brother told the Times that by Sunday, investigators had traced the pair off campus.—
Dan Sullivan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Staffers have described their days as a dark bureaucratic comedy.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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Staying on topic about the Clintons’ early days in the White House, Hillary described the jarring transition from Arkansas to presidential life.—
Antonio Ferme,
Variety,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But South Korea's market has been characterized by volatility of late, with the Kospi experiencing some of the most outsized gyrations as a result of its concentration in a handful of stocks, as well as speculative positioning of retail traders.—
Joseph Wilkins,
CNBC,
17 Apr. 2026
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The pilot program was characterized by SeaWorld San Diego Park President Tyler Carter as a conscientious move toward potentially phasing out fireworks.—
Jennifer Van Grove,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Paramedics took four people to the hospital after the crash, but department officials did not specify which vehicles the victims were in.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
20 Apr. 2026
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The traffic code was appropriately amended to specify maximum speeds.—
Nikhil Krishnan,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Eden outlined how, by crippling universities over charges of antisemitism, McMahon could also achieve larger goals.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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This is a strong time to outline a process, prioritize what matters, and get something into motion without overthinking it.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Imanaga tossed seven innings for the first time this season, limiting the Phillies to just three hits, including the home run, while walking one and striking out one batter.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Apr. 2026
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Durant, who missed Game 1 with a right knee injury suffered in practice, had a team-high 23 points, six rebounds and four assists, though he was limited to just three points in the second half and had nine turnovers for the game.—
Dan Woike,
New York Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Max Clayton also makes a strong impression as Danny Bailey, a swaggering leading man modeled after Carousel’s Billy Bigelow and portrayed on the series by Aaron Tveit.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
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Critics say the event has a highly partisan list of participants and is part of a larger project to connect America's upcoming 250th birthday with a Christian nationalist vision that portrays the nation's founding as essentially Christian, something many historians dispute.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Those fights faded once governments began delineating specific zones where such projects were allowed and impacts could be minimized.—
Bloomberg,
Oc Register,
23 Apr. 2026
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To fix that, the actual operating rooms won’t have the red outline on the floor, and the operating area will likely instead be delineated with a lighter gray color.—
Emily Brindley,
Dallas Morning News,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Define.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/define. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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