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

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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

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 Across both the château and villa collection, the interiors avoid the polish that often defines contemporary luxury hospitality. —

Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 12 May 2026 The company’s growth across three markets reflects a model that scales without losing the responsiveness that defines the client experience at the firm level. —

Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 11 May 2026 That focus on safety and trust now defines his work with animals. —

Daily News, 8 May 2026 While acknowledging that antisemites may have good characteristics—a loving husband, a generous and conscientious citizen—Sartre claimed that their hatred ultimately defines them. —

Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 8 May 2026 This matriarchal practice defines Tunisia’s food culture. —

Boutheina Ben Salem, Vogue, 8 May 2026 The lack of that love defines a bad teacher. —

Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026 Ohio law defines murder as the purposeful causing of a death, while the lesser charge of reckless murder means the defendant acted recklessly in causing a death. —

ABC News, 7 May 2026 Long hours remain one of the biggest and most measurable culprits, with the report saying 35% of workers globally work more than 48 hours a week—occupational-health research often defines long working hours as 55 hours or more a week. —

Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defines

Verb

Benjamin Fanjoy / Getty Images The idea that people are entitled to be judged by a jury of their peers traces back to the Magna Carta of 1215, although the definition of peer has changed over time.

— David Ingram, NBC news, 15 May 2026
Earlier on in the episode, Griffin finds a gun in his late dad's storage unit and traces it to match a gun that killed someone in an off-duty shooting.

— Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026