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
Relevance
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
Their methods—ruthless melodic math, brazenly artificial production, and an odd soft spot for reggae rhythms—helped define the world-conquering sound of Britney Spears and Backstreet Boys.
—
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2025
Across the county, conservation and local culture define the character of this 22 miles stretch of coastline.
—Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025
The mix also alludes to the sense of playfulness that defines the homeowners’ personalities.
—Jennifer Fernandez, Architectural Digest, 3 Oct. 2025
The interior design by Francesco Paszkowski in collaboration with Margherita Casprini incorporates furniture with strong curves, rugs with shapes that define the spaces in a non-traditional manner.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for define
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2025
Across the county, conservation and local culture define the character of this 22 miles stretch of coastline.
—Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025
The mix also alludes to the sense of playfulness that defines the homeowners’ personalities.
—Jennifer Fernandez, Architectural Digest, 3 Oct. 2025
The interior design by Francesco Paszkowski in collaboration with Margherita Casprini incorporates furniture with strong curves, rugs with shapes that define the spaces in a non-traditional manner.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for define
Recent Examples of Synonyms for define
Verb
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In a study published in Cell, researchers set out to trace the microbial companions of mammoths across a staggering timeline, from over a million years ago to their final days on Wrangel Island just 4,000 years ago.—
Pranjal Malewar,
New Atlas,
30 Sep. 2025
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Spanning seven decades, this epic drama traces the hopes and heartaches of one uprooted family, revealing not only the scars of displacement, but the unbreakable spirit of survival.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan used another adjective to describe Dowdle’s running style.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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Police described Taylor as a Black male who is 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 200 pounds.—
Erik S. Hanley,
jsonline.com,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The administration has also called out the arrest of Sortor, a 27-year-old conservative influencer, amid protests outside the ICE facility in Portland during what police characterized as a fight.—
Rebekah Riess,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
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This species, found in waterholes surrounded by bamboo forests, is characterized by its rough skin and reddish-orange markings.—
Real-Time News team,
Miami Herald,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Sadayuki had specified as such in his will.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
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Burr said the restrictions on what comedians could say had been softened by the festival after some back and forth (Burr didn’t specify with whom).—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The assessment by the Washington, DC think tank outlined how Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SCNC) had directed military and civilian officials to designate successors in the event of leadership disruption to ensure continuation in the event of war.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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OpenAI's 120-day plan In a blog post, OpenAI outlined steps to strengthen protections.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Supplies are limited, and at this price, codes won’t last long.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
4 Oct. 2025
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The federal government argued that the lower courts were circumventing the power of the justices and improperly limiting the authority of the Department of Homeland Security.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The White House has also continued to troll House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries with AI videos portraying Jeffries in a sombrero and fake mustache.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
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In the musical, Levy portrays Mother, the matriarch of a wealthy white family, who discovers her self-confidence and independence.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The 323-foot fly ball came down and hit the pole on the black line that delineates between a ball being out of the park or in play.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Sep. 2025
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Parks digitally delineated instead of outlined by the contours of our promenades.—
Paul Greenberg,
Time,
20 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Define.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/define. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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