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

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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 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 The most effective family offices are those that use technology to enhance efficiency, improve transparency, and strengthen collaboration, while still maintaining the personal approach that defines this unique industry. —

Paul Westall, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026 What defines the life of a Hijra is less any single act than the household itself, its obligations, its protection and its particular economy of belonging. —

Vogue, 1 June 2026 Each town along the shore tells a story, not just through its landscapes, but through its traditions, its people, and the distinct rhythm of life that defines it. —

Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 1 June 2026 That project included a four-story addition and the multi-story, glass wall that now architecturally defines the entrance, giving the 1957 structure a 21st-century look. —

Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 1 June 2026 Whether the Su-57D can meaningfully close that gap remains to be seen, but the aircraft’s development suggests Russia increasingly recognizes that information dominance (not just raw performance) defines modern air combat. —

Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 May 2026 The Internal Revenue Service defines nonprofit fraud as the misuse of an organization’s assets, including embezzlement and theft. —

Sarah Webber, Fortune, 24 May 2026 Coquette baby names feel both retro and refreshingly modern, with that special signature hint of whimsy and romance that defines the aesthetic. —

Kara Nesvig, Parents, 21 May 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