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

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as in describes

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

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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

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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

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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 defines Georgia law defines second-degree murder as causing the death of a child by committing the crime of cruelty to children. —

Jeff Martin, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026 Beyoncé's butterscotch blonde boasts the insouciant, melty finish that defines the old money approach and provides a natural extension of her natural brunette. —

Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 3 Mar. 2026 Mostly, Bibby said that Shaqir the young man is what defines him. —

Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 3 Mar. 2026 This may be the most honest moment that defines a writer—not the book deal, not the debut, not even the breakout. —

Jd Barker, Rolling Stone, 2 Mar. 2026 Many who have grown skeptical of the word capitalism still embrace and celebrate the economic freedom that defines it. —

Justin Callais, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026 This ethos defines Spice Lab Tokyo, his Ginza laboratory where spices bridge the gap between Japanese seasons. —

Nupur Singh, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Feb. 2026 Some 100 yards later, the Sooners had the lead — and Bowman had the play that defensive tackle Gracen Halton, one of the combine’s biggest winners from Thursday, said best defines his former three-time all-conference teammate. —

Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 28 Feb. 2026 Intent is the operative word that defines genocide. —

Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 27 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defines

Verb

Produced by Boy Wonder and Charlee Way, who helped shape Latin music with various projects, La Liga Feminina traces the many facets of musica urbana and how each musician plays a role in the genre.

— Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2026
The rodeo traces its roots to 1938, when the Austin Chamber of Commerce began discussing a livestock show to promote beef production in Central Texas.

— Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 6 Mar. 2026