defined 1 of 2

defined

2 of 2

verb

past tense of define
1
2
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

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 state indictment is a classic murder case, prosecutors argued, and murder is generally not defined by federal statutes. — Shayna Jacobs, NBC news, 31 Oct. 2026 From its origins in Haiti, it was defined by work without consent. — Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2026 In recent years, the conversation surrounding Yung Miami has been defined by everything but the music. — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 30 Oct. 2026 For most SaaS companies, margins are defined by infrastructure efficiency. — Channing Ferrer, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026 The 2024 election forced the world to deal with a man who has never defined enoughness for himself. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026 Southeast Asia is riding an investment boom, as a surge in chip exports pushes economies like Vietnam and the Philippines up the World Bank’s income ladder, as defined by the World Bank. — Sam Beltran, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2026 Now any chaos is on American streets, where violent and even deadly clashes have defined a deportation campaign that's designed to fulfill hardliners' goals of uprooting anyone in the country illegally. — ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026 Now any chaos is on American streets, where violent and even deadly clashes have defined a deportation campaign that’s designed to fulfill hardliners’ goals of uprooting anyone in the country illegally. — Nicholas Riccardi, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defined
Adjective
  • Miami shot 14 of 25 within the restricted area in the first half before finishing 26 of 43 at the rim.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The violence and insecurity have displaced many and restricted health workers’ access to communities affected by Ebola.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • British Vogue’s November 2025 coverage traced the shoe’s path from an early fashion curiosity to a months-long waiting list at one London retailer.
    — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Researchers traced the air masses associated with the storms and found that most had passed over Fresno and Madera counties, suggesting the Central Valley could be a source of the pollution.
    — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Caleb Wilson bounded into the paint with the lack of abandon every rookie possesses, stretching his arms toward the rim in a desperate reach for the ball.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Milwaukee players bounded out of the dugout to greet Pratt, who debuted in June and became the first rookie to hit an extra-inning homer in the World Series.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • His administration has described the agreements as historic, but the raises secured by the two groups of first responders differ considerably.
    — Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Prominent Democrats and Republicans have described the midterm elections in near-apocalyptic terms.
    — James Speyer, New York Daily News, 30 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • But notes issued when specified revenue conditions are unmet carry a 13% interest rate and convert at 85% of market price, giving noteholders more shares for each dollar and further diluting existing shareholders.
    — Wen Shao, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The companies have not provided a detailed deployment schedule or specified how many sites will become operational in the first phase.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Final casualty figures from Monday's attack in Nyala are unconfirmed amid limited information from the city.
    — YASSIR ABDALLA, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026
  • In 2023, Waymo added Los Angeles to its network, beginning limited testing in that city with autonomous rides for employees.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The candidates outlined their backgrounds and community involvement in The Bee’s coverage of the two open Roseville council seats.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Only in that way can a free and independent judiciary continue to deliver the ideals outlined in the founding documents of what is the most durable democracy ever conceived and created.
    — David Baldacci, Vanity Fair, 3 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • These are demarcated spaces that harbor countless possibilities and contain the infinite, as if in a story by Jorge Luis Borges.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
  • In a very short time, the story is clearly demarcated, allowing Şerban to focus on character.
    — Jay Weissberg, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Defined.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defined. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster