1
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
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2
as in describes
to mark the limits of
the river defines the town on the south
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
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
4
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
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Recent Examples of defines
OpenAI’s charter defines AGI as an autonomous system that can outperform humans at most economically valuable work.
—
Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025
Our reporters are exploring how America defines itself.
—New York Times, 5 Nov. 2025
Clinically, the reaction reflects an undercurrent of anxiety that now defines New York politics.
—Newsweek Contributors, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
The proposal defines grooming and sets prison sentences of 10 to 25 years for those convicted.
—Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Through it all, the debates over what defines the United States have been fierce and sometimes violent.
—Susan Page, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
From the Buen Vecino Marketplace to the Music of the World Cup panel, the brand celebrated creativity, diversity, and the power of connection that defines Latin music.
—Quincy Green, Billboard, 30 Oct. 2025
As of October 26, there have been 356 mass shootings in the US this year, leaving at least 300 people dead and 1,600 injured, according to data from the Gun Violence Archive, which, like CNN, defines a mass shooting as one that injured or killed four or more people.
—Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
That tension really defines him.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025
Our reporters are exploring how America defines itself.
—New York Times, 5 Nov. 2025
Clinically, the reaction reflects an undercurrent of anxiety that now defines New York politics.
—Newsweek Contributors, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
The proposal defines grooming and sets prison sentences of 10 to 25 years for those convicted.
—Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Through it all, the debates over what defines the United States have been fierce and sometimes violent.
—Susan Page, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
From the Buen Vecino Marketplace to the Music of the World Cup panel, the brand celebrated creativity, diversity, and the power of connection that defines Latin music.
—Quincy Green, Billboard, 30 Oct. 2025
As of October 26, there have been 356 mass shootings in the US this year, leaving at least 300 people dead and 1,600 injured, according to data from the Gun Violence Archive, which, like CNN, defines a mass shooting as one that injured or killed four or more people.
—Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
That tension really defines him.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defines
Verb
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In her exhaustive chronicle, Jennings traces the long folkloric history of monk-tormenting demons.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Navajo Nation Museum traces Diné heritage and culture.—
Kit Bernardi,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Beyond that, the complaint describes other people involved in the conspiracy who have also not been charged.—
David J. Lopez,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
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The report describes resale as a tool for brands to acquire new customers, control their brand narrative, and generate new revenue.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The next step was to search for the higher-energy release of energy that stellar physicists believe characterizes the frequent CMEs from young stars.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
30 Oct. 2025
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Protest organizers have trained thousands in de-escalation techniques and have promised the day will be safe, even as political rhetoric characterizes demonstrators as being aligned with terrorist forces.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The bill also specifies that if an AI causes harm, the human owners or developers would be responsible.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
22 Oct. 2025
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The dress code also specifies the type of shoes to be worn and forbids facial tattoos or more than one facial piercing.—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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These individuals, who began using marijuana in their late teens or early adulthood, did not seek out mental health care as frequently but had higher odds of seeking physical medical attention than individuals who didn't use marijuana at all, the study outlines.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
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Galchen also outlines the dangers posed by countries, such as the United States, that vest the authority to use nuclear weapons in a single individual.—
Caroline Mimbs Nyce,
New Yorker,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Grande plays Glinda the Good Witch (originated by Kristin Chenoweth) while Cynthia Erivo portrays Elphaba, the Green-skinned protagonist (first played by Idina Menzel).—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Nov. 2025
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Set during the Japanese colonial period — when Taiwan’s cypress industry thrived — the series portrays a world built by men yet seen through the eyes of a Japanese woman.—
Lin Ying-Hsuan,
Variety,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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There’s a wealth of seating options to take in the views or cozy up by the double-sided fireplace that delineates the living and dining rooms.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
11 Oct. 2025
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The 323-foot fly ball came down and hit the pole on the black line that delineates between a ball being out of the park or in play.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Age of Imprisonment both controls and performs leaps and bounds better than its predecessors.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
4 Nov. 2025
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As my guide Nicolas Jeanroy preps his truffle gear, which looks like a collection of garden tools, his canine partner, Taïga, bounds up.—
Aislyn Greene,
AFAR Media,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defines. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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