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defined

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verb

past tense of define
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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

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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
Verb
The 23-year-old hit 33 long passes (defined as 40 metres or more) — more than double by a goalkeeper in any other United game this season. Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025 The result is a lightweight, transparent take on Jimmy Choo’s traditional evening pump — airy in construction yet defined by precision lines and a high arch. Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2025 The interior of the concept comprises sumptuous leatherwork and controls defined by physical knobs, dials, and switches. Stephen Treffinger, Robb Report, 5 Oct. 2025 Her characters are cast to record an audio adaptation of a wildly popular vampire romance series that defined their teenage years, just like The Twilight Saga defined hers. Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025 After just a few minutes on each arm, the soreness had noticeably decreased, and my arms looked more defined and less puffy, especially near the underarm area where water retention tends to settle. Francesca Krempa, StyleCaster, 4 Oct. 2025 The lyrics here reportedly take aim at betrayal, broken trust, and the power struggles that defined their relationship. Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025 Coming after his success as a co-writer on partner Greta Gerwig’s billion-dollar hit Barbie (2023), Jay Kelly appears to signal a new chapter for the Baumbach, one less defined by fracture and regret than by celebration. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025 Few sports are as defined by fallow periods as baseball. Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defined
Adjective
  • Hundreds more were forced to sleep on cots in terminals overnight, as authorities scrambled to respond to unconfirmed but credible reports of drones in restricted airspace.
    Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Things had finally intensified to where McTavish was on the phone with Morris five or six times a day after a lengthy and meaningful divide over term and worth resulting in the center withholding his services for the first 10 days of training camp as a restricted free agent without a contract.
    Eric Stephens, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The origins of coffee can be traced to Ethiopia, as far back as the 9th century.
    Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Disorders like tremors can be traced to specific misbehaving circuits in the brain, Munyon said while explaining the procedure.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Then, as if that were not enough excitement for any hunter at one time, a big mule-deer buck broke out of the thicket and bounded away to my left, straight for Sally.
    Robert Merchant, Outdoor Life, 1 Oct. 2025
  • In the clip, the puppy dashed toward his new little friend; at first the Chihuahua retreated, stuck his tongue out and paw up, and then bounded toward him.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Those sentiments likely described how everyone inside the locker room felt after the loss.
    Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • As professor Paolo Quattrone has described, the Dean sits at one end beneath a towering Gothic window.
    Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The company also has not specified which contact fields, such as email, phone, or address, attackers accessed.
    , FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The four songs that led to the legal action have not been specified.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Şengün played a large chunk of his limited time on the floor Monday night with Adams or Capela also in the lineup.
    William Guillory, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Following their split, the parents of two were seen together on numerous occasions, including the 2019 Emmys where Taylor was on deck to support Ben, who was nominated for outstanding directing for a limited series, movie or dramatic special for Escape At Dannemora.
    Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Trump outlined the 20-point plan last week at the White House alongside Netanyahu.
    Callum Sutherland, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Last month, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s press office outlined new rules that would sharply restrict reporting, leveraging the fact that many military reporters have press credentials allowing physical access to the Pentagon complex.
    Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The team confirmed 13 of them — demarcated with an asterisk below — and The Charlotte Observer independently confirmed the four others.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 27 Aug. 2025
  • And yet this life style seemed demarcated by objects that were ugly, strange, and uncanny.
    Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 20 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Defined.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defined. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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