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 shelf to session, rolling papers carry cultural weight, strategic significance and brand-defining potential.
—
Sara Payan, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025
The onlookers got the chance to see one of the defining features of the whales — the lower right white jaw, the group said.
—Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Argentine lawmakers overturned a key veto issued by President Javier Milei, a move that comes ahead of legislative elections that could define his term.
—semafor.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Comparisons to Jackson have dogged Bieber since the start of his career given some similarities in their voices and the general boyishness that continues to define the latter.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for define
Sara Payan, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025
The onlookers got the chance to see one of the defining features of the whales — the lower right white jaw, the group said.
—Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Argentine lawmakers overturned a key veto issued by President Javier Milei, a move that comes ahead of legislative elections that could define his term.
—semafor.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Comparisons to Jackson have dogged Bieber since the start of his career given some similarities in their voices and the general boyishness that continues to define the latter.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for define
Recent Examples of Synonyms for define
Verb
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Many everyday technologies, such as GPS and the internet, trace their origins to military research.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
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The sender used an app that constantly generated new phone numbers, which meant blocking the harassment was impossible — and even law enforcement initially struggled to trace the source.—
Samantha Stutsman,
People.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But the shift may be broader, as newsrooms both describe a cultural shift and, at least in some cases, embody it.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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The panel studying those cases released a report last year describing how the state child welfare agency missed warning signs and failed to protect dozens of children from dying of the illicit drug.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In an essay published in Vogue, longtime magazine editor Anna Wintour characterized Armani as a steely, dedicated and, above all, innovative force in the fashion industry.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
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In a 69-page ruling, Judge Edward Chen of the Northern District of California characterized the decision of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to end TPS for Haiti and Venezuela as capricious, arbitrary and beyond the scope of her authority.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Cannon-Brookes wouldn’t specify whether Atlassian considered buying Google’s browser.—
Jordan Novet,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
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Eufy didn’t specify if the Marwalker will eventually be compatible with other robot vacuums.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The speakers and attendees outlined their vision for the world at a time when national conservatism has reached its zenith of influence.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Sep. 2025
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However, the majority of districts, like Porter Township where Watkin now works, did not report any injuries despite the requirements outlined in House Enrolled Act 1591.—
IndyStar,
IndyStar,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Don’t overpay — unless one of the four primary pass catchers ahead of him is injured, TeSlaa’s upside is limited to a rookie season similar to Chase Claypool’s, who finished as WR37.—
Jacob Robinson,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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This is not an easy ticket to get, especially as the event is limited to 275 guests.—
Liquid Icons,
Robb Report,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Folklore portrays them as menacing figures lurking in the darkness who can possess those who wander too far from home.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
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Chastain portrayed Celia Foote in the drama based on Kathryn Stockett's novel of the same name about a white journalist chronicling the lives of Black maids working for white households in 1960s Mississippi.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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For a while, that was federally protected—the 1961 Sports Broadcasting Act has for decades delineated that Friday was for high school football, Saturday was for college and Sunday was for the NFL.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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And finally, owners need to account for potential exit strategies to delineate the conditions under which the board may need to be restructured or even dissolved.—
Wendy Stewart,
Fortune,
31 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Define.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/define. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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