as in restricted
having distinct or certain limits
well defined guidelines on the range of activities in which the intelligence agency can engage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in traced
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
2
as in bounded
to mark the limits of
the river defines the town on the south
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in described
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 specified
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of defined
Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 2 Mar. 2026
The stakes are high as the industry awaits whether the new collection will signal a departure from the bold, intricate aesthetic that defined Olivier Rousteing’s 14-year tenure at the house.
—Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2026
So much of the mystique of portraiture is defined by the grade and quality of the intimacy between sitter and photographer.
—Bryan Barcena, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
But don’t expect a dramatic change in the weather, as the unseasonable warmth that defined the end of meteorological winter appears to be carrying over into at least the first half of March.
—Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 1 Mar. 2026
It is defined by whoever the president or the presidential nominee is.
—ABC News, 1 Mar. 2026
Retirement, as traditionally defined, is not a reward.
—Klaus Schwab, Time, 1 Mar. 2026
Rob Edwards was in little doubt about the moment that defined Wolverhampton Wanderers’ defeat by Crystal Palace.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
The blacklist has yet to be defined by the president’s lawyers.
—Ken Sweet, Fortune, 22 Feb. 2026
Verb
No one religious or spiritual practice appeared to be more protective against addiction, but the risk reduction was higher for people who regularly engaged in a spiritual or religious community, defined as weekly attendance at a religious service.
—Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 2 Mar. 2026
The stakes are high as the industry awaits whether the new collection will signal a departure from the bold, intricate aesthetic that defined Olivier Rousteing’s 14-year tenure at the house.
—Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2026
So much of the mystique of portraiture is defined by the grade and quality of the intimacy between sitter and photographer.
—Bryan Barcena, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
But don’t expect a dramatic change in the weather, as the unseasonable warmth that defined the end of meteorological winter appears to be carrying over into at least the first half of March.
—Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 1 Mar. 2026
It is defined by whoever the president or the presidential nominee is.
—ABC News, 1 Mar. 2026
Retirement, as traditionally defined, is not a reward.
—Klaus Schwab, Time, 1 Mar. 2026
Rob Edwards was in little doubt about the moment that defined Wolverhampton Wanderers’ defeat by Crystal Palace.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
The blacklist has yet to be defined by the president’s lawyers.
—Ken Sweet, Fortune, 22 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defined
Adjective
-
In connection with this loan, PAG released all remaining restricted cash collateralized by the company under its convertible senior notes.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Meda Frias said local authorities were notified of the protest in advance and that the roughly 15 attendees were confined to a restricted area that had been blocked off with traffic cones.—
Sarah Bahari,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Inspired by the spring 2026 collection, Taylor wore a figure-hugging gown with a white and gray breastplate that traced the contours of her bust, calling to mind a Greek statue.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Anderson traced the truck to the address of Friedmann’s friend Ferris Marone.—
James Verini,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
On February 13th, Grace Van Patten and Jackson White and Grace Gummer and Mark Ronson watched Veronica Leoni’s Calvin Klein Collection come down the runway, while Rebecca Hall and Morgan Spector bounded between Fforme and Kallmeyer.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Information would go from bounded to ubiquitous.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Wieu described the attack as a coordinated and organized assault, calling it an act of rebellion.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 Mar. 2026
-
In an interview with Variety from the convention, Bravo boss Frances Berwick described the difficulties of finding the right cast.—
Kate Aurthur,
Variety,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
No back orders, unless specified by the individual vendor.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Cummings had explicitly specified in an earlier hearing that the warrantless arrest policy applies nationwide, not only to the states within ICE's Chicago regional office.—
Maggie Dougherty,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Gittens was always going to need to build fitness after limited involvement at the Club World Cup and in the second half of the season at Dortmund, while Garnacho’s single-mindedness will not be news to anybody who watched him at United.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Right now, members-only prices start at $6—but only for a limited time.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In his Sunday column, Jim outlined how investors are trying to navigate this period of uncertainty, and appropriately, our cash position is unusually high, providing us with a buffer in this decline.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
2 Mar. 2026
-
This decision is outlined in the country’s constitution.—
Mike Brest,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The cemetery was a communal space, yet each fence demarcated a private domain—my nature, my virtues, my gait, my mood.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Voyager 1 is nestled in the space demarcated by that stellar pyramid.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
19 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defined.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defined. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
