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
Some of the conditions listed as high risk for Covid-19 – such as physical inactivity – are loosely defined and may be left up to individual plans to interpret.
—
Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2025
The agreement defined credits and debits and set parameters for when water could be stored upstream.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2025
The apartments were originally meant for senior living, defined by housing officials as for those 62 years and older.
—Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 30 Aug. 2025
Shane Bieber was always the acquisition that would define the Toronto Blue Jays’ trade deadline.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for define
Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2025
The agreement defined credits and debits and set parameters for when water could be stored upstream.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2025
The apartments were originally meant for senior living, defined by housing officials as for those 62 years and older.
—Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 30 Aug. 2025
Shane Bieber was always the acquisition that would define the Toronto Blue Jays’ trade deadline.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 23 Aug. 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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Several chefs described the event as a week of camaraderie.—
Susan Selasky,
Freep.com,
26 Aug. 2025
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An initial alert from the campus described a potential suspect as a white man, about 6 feet tall, and wearing black pants.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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To meet the demand of both bleisure and family travelers, hotel partners are introducing new room types focused on longer stays, with room types that are offered in a variety of price ranges, characterized by apartment elements that allow for long-stay comfort.—
Roger Sands,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
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Flash floods are usually characterized by raging torrents after heavy rains.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
19 Aug. 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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The Metro Nashville Transportation Licensing Commission has limited low-speed vehicles for hire to a span of town ranging from downtown to Vanderbilt University, Centennial Park and North Nashville south of Jefferson Street, as well as East Nashville from Shelby Park to Cleveland Park.—
Evan Mealins,
The Tennessean,
31 Aug. 2025
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While still alive, the flies showed that arsenic exposure limited their ability to orient themselves in space and move around.—
Austin Corona,
AZCentral.com,
30 Aug. 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 5 Sep. 2025.
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