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
From the beginning Marvel was defined by its superhuman characters set against the background of the coming war.
—
Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026
Alongside his neighbor and longtime songwriting partner, Howard Greenfield, Sedaka set up shop at the famous Brill Building and helped define the pop style that emerged from the New York City hit factory.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 27 Feb. 2026
As the agency continues to grow, strengthening its infrastructure, TSD strives to preserve the intimacy that first defined those early kitchen-table sessions.
—Contributor, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
Speed and overwhelm usually define The Pitt.
—Judy Berman, Time, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for define
Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026
Alongside his neighbor and longtime songwriting partner, Howard Greenfield, Sedaka set up shop at the famous Brill Building and helped define the pop style that emerged from the New York City hit factory.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 27 Feb. 2026
As the agency continues to grow, strengthening its infrastructure, TSD strives to preserve the intimacy that first defined those early kitchen-table sessions.
—Contributor, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
Speed and overwhelm usually define The Pitt.
—Judy Berman, Time, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for define
Recent Examples of Synonyms for define
Verb
-
Seagulls traced lazy circles overhead.—
Lisa A. Beach,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The show traces the evolution of Armani Privé since its Paris debut in 2005, highlighting pure lines, precious fabrics and jewel-like embroidery.—
PhotoVogue,
Vogue,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Why the judge granted Brown’s release Gaitan wrote in the order Friday that Brown’s age at the time of the crime, combined with what the court described as significant rehabilitation while incarcerated, warranted a sentence reduction.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
1 Mar. 2026
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Historical accounts and later academic research describe him as enslaving hundreds of Native Americans, forcing Indigenous people to labor at the fort and punishing or pursuing those who attempted to flee.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Both conversations were characterized as brief and neither entailed anything further, such as any preliminary negotiations on a long-term deal.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Trump characterized the campaign as massive and ongoing, warning that American lives could be at risk in the process.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The certificate specified that Oseguera Cervantes had bullet wounds to his chest, abdomen and legs.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Today, entrants must brush up on the formal definitions of substance use disorders as described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and familiarize themselves with classification criteria specified by the American Society of Addiction Medicine.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Abel, who succeeded Warren Buffett as CEO at the start of 2026, used the letter to outline a clear framework of foundational values centered on financial strength and disciplined investing.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
1 Mar. 2026
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The bill outlines that to become a member of the Indiana National Guard military police force the adjutant general will make sure the members have security clearance and no felony convictions.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Domestic criticism of the speech has been limited.—
Charlotte Reed,
CNBC,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The Jayhawks used a 2-3 defensive zone to limit UCF’s offense and save their legs for a potential five-day stay at the Big 12 tourney, Schneider said.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Some employees on Tuesday also felt frustrated that some observers are portraying Anthropic as heroic despite previous years of work with the Pentagon and major defense contractor Palantir with little scrutiny.—
Hadas Gold,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
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After portraying Alabaster, down to his pearly-white surname, as the apotheosis of white male villainy, Cash deflates him by arguing, essentially, #NotAllMen.—
Malavika Kannan,
Vulture,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The projection of Earth’s equator delineates the celestial equator, and the poles project onto the north and south celestial poles.—
Vahe Peroomian,
The Conversation,
5 Mar. 2026
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Even the cream leather headrest serves as a studio backdrop to delineate his silhouette from the rest of the image.—
Christopher Anderson,
Vanity Fair,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Define.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/define. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
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