Thesaurus results for DEFINES

defines

verb

present tense third-person singular of define

as in traces

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

Relevance

as in describes

to mark the limits of the river defines the town on the south

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in characterizes

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

as in specifies

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 defines The law defines rodeos as spectator events that include bareback and saddle bronc riding, bull riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, team roping, or any other event or activity that involves physically taking down an animal, roping an animal, or attempting to ride a bucking animal. —

Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026 Advertisement Longevity is a theme that runs through our story on James—and one that defines its author too. —

Sam Jacobs, Time, 9 June 2026 If a founder defines success as serving customers well and staying independent over twenty years, while a fund needs a 5x return in seven, those definitions of success will collide. —

Vale Siegrist, Footwear News, 8 June 2026 Available in Pure, Touring, Grand Touring, and the super luxury, super expensive Sapphire trim, the Air lineup defines high performance and handsomeness. —

James Raia, Mercury News, 8 June 2026 The team still has the all-over-the-pitch intensity that defines it. —

Esteban Campanela, CNN Money, 7 June 2026 The hotel carries the cosmopolitan energy that defines Whitefield today. —

Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026 But that’s not what solely defines them. —

Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 6 June 2026 And what do the fates of these men say about how and through whom the show defines audacity — a word that has two different interpretations and uses? —

Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 2 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defines

Verb

Nardo’s book traces the history of architecture and artwork in ancient Greece, from its inception to pioneering artists of the era.

— Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026
Radar, another technology that took hold as a result of World War II, is also a key modern forecasting tool that traces its roots back to World War II.

— Rebecca Hersher, NPR, 27 May 2026