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
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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
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of define
Nate’s strength is defined by methylglyoxal (MGO) and verified through the Unique Manuka Factor certification system in New Zealand.
—
Footwear News, 12 Sep. 2025
That sense of invention has defined his work.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
That philosophy still defines Zambia’s safaris today.
—Daniel Scheffler, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
In those 15 seconds, later described by his teammates, Jones offered a defining line separating the end of 2024 and the onset of 2025 — and the onset of a journey statistically more improbable than defending a Super Bowl title.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for define
Footwear News, 12 Sep. 2025
That sense of invention has defined his work.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
That philosophy still defines Zambia’s safaris today.
—Daniel Scheffler, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
In those 15 seconds, later described by his teammates, Jones offered a defining line separating the end of 2024 and the onset of 2025 — and the onset of a journey statistically more improbable than defending a Super Bowl title.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for define
Recent Examples of Synonyms for define
Verb
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The sharp, but flexible point allows for drawing fluid, sweeping lines, but also honing in on the tiniest details, like tracing the very inner corners of your lash lines or shaping the upward flick of a cat eye.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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Police are hoping electronic devices found onboard the vessel will help trace Champagne’s movements.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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More importantly, Penske also describes this dynamic as antitrust behavior from a company abusing what the federal government has already described as Google’s monopoly status in the realm of Internet search.—
Andy Meek,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Three people present described the manner of the two strangers as detached and off-putting, and said their story just did not add up.—
Denver Nicks,
Rolling Stone,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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An increasing number of boys are lonely, isolated and confused, wrestling with the aftermath of the #MeToo movement and the expectations of rigid masculinity, which has been widely characterized as toxic.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025
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Davey characterizes the Longbow strategy as flexible.—
James Morris,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Google hasn’t specified if there will be an eventual end date.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
12 Sep. 2025
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The 49ers have not specified what exatly happened to these body parts.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This is the new reality of how CX work can get done if businesses follow the four phases outlined above.—
Munil Shah,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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Budd, a Democrat representing House District 103 in south Mecklenburg County, outlined a four-part plan during a news conference Monday that would devote more resources toward law enforcement, courts and state health care infrastructure.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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An effective hair growth solution is less about fancy marketing claims, but formulas rooted in ingredients that can improve hair’s density and fullness while limiting breakage.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
12 Sep. 2025
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The advisory also warned that emergency services in Nepal have limited ability to respond to personal emergencies at the moment.—
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While some Hamas apologists have portrayed the word as benign, its real meaning is undeniably violent — and not just for Israelis.—
Sean Durns,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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Somehow, they’re portrayed as heroic trials of love, requiring sacrifice, trust and resilience.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Specific Solutions The paper delineates specific solutions that collectively could swiftly enhance EU economic growth and international competitiveness.—
Alden Abbott,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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Trading behemoth Citadel Securities raised its concerns about the potential for regulatory arbitrage if the SEC doesn’t delineate clear rules for companies that want to tokenize assets to follow.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Define.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/define. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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