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
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Recent Examples of define
Andy Jassy’s tenure as Amazon’s CEO has been defined by the company’s ability to cut costs across the business, all while hastening delivery speeds and optimizing inventory placement across the supply chain.
—
Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 6 Feb. 2026
That vibe is central to how Roberts Rassi defines the brand’s appeal.
—Carly Witteman, Vogue, 6 Feb. 2026
And in a show where everybody’s so obsessed with their work life and trying to define themselves by their work life, Kwabena isn’t trying to do that.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 6 Feb. 2026
There are a few specific rules that define tequila as a category overall.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for define
Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 6 Feb. 2026
That vibe is central to how Roberts Rassi defines the brand’s appeal.
—Carly Witteman, Vogue, 6 Feb. 2026
And in a show where everybody’s so obsessed with their work life and trying to define themselves by their work life, Kwabena isn’t trying to do that.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 6 Feb. 2026
There are a few specific rules that define tequila as a category overall.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for define
Recent Examples of Synonyms for define
Verb
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Here, visitors can trace their family lineage all across North America and Europe.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Feb. 2026
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The blurred surge, of course, traces back to K-beauty, where this finish has been popular for years.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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While Indonesia is often described as one of Australia's most important neighbors, the relationship has seen periodic strains.—
NINIEK KARMINI,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
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One other suspect – described as an accomplice – was also detained, the Committee said.—
CNN's Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Kam and O'Shea exceeded all expectations with a performance characterized by spectacular lifts and fierce musicality.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
8 Feb. 2026
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Lots of Gray Tones Morris is eager to move past all of the gray tones that have characterized homes in recent years.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In 2023, Mulready specified 53 complaints.—
J.C. Hallman,
Oklahoman,
10 Feb. 2026
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Although agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) limit the amount of arsenic in public and bottled drinking water to 10 ppb, the FDA has no regulations that specify a safe level of arsenic for most foods, including candy.—
Owen Clarke,
Outside,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Conversations focus on outlining options, trade‑offs, and longer‑term considerations in a manner that feels clear and manageable.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
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Decluttering expert Katy Wells outlines the top spaces that need attention and how to organize them.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Parents can take action to limit their baby’s exposure to ultraprocessing and the additives that come with it, Houlihan said.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
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Honeycomb’s plan is to use deed restrictions to limit future resale price increases, ensuring that the units remain available as affordable housing for the next 40 years or longer.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The image became a meme, repeatedly used to portray Miliband as awkward.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Feb. 2026
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Barer will portray Zoe Gutierrez, a character featured in Holly Brickley’s 2023 novel, which the film is based on.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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At Wednesday’s hearing, Roth asked the judge to drop a terrorism enhancement to the charges, saying that the law does not explicitly delineate presidential candidates as potential victims of terrorism.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
4 Feb. 2026
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To delineate the murine C3aR coding sequence, gene structure, 5′-flanking region, and chromosome location, cDNA and genomic clones encoding the mouse C3a receptor were isolated, characterized, and used in fluorescence in situ hybridization experiments.—
Kirstin R.W. Matthews,
STAT,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Define.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/define. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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