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
Relevance
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
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
Having a say over who comes and goes into a country is an intrinsic part of what defines a country.
—
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
However, there has been quite a bit of backsliding since then, as well as an elastic understanding of what defines a democracy.
—Big Think, 14 Apr. 2026
Trailing leader Barcelona by nine points in the Spanish league, Madrid's best chance of success this season may be in the competition that defines it - the Champions League.
—ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
The difference between feeling comfortable and being comfortable on the scoreboard is often what defines the mindset of a Masters champion.
—Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2026
The wine style ultimately defines the ideal harvest window, dictating the balance of sugar, acidity and taste the winemaker is seeking.
—Maureen MacKey , Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 11 Apr. 2026
In the arms race for attention that defines political podcasting, few figures have expanded their reach as rapidly as Owens.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2026
This vast bundle of life and existence whirrs continually, creating the comforting harmonic tone that defines this place.
—Stephen Trimble, Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2026
The bill defines vehicular homicide more clearly and expands the crime of criminally negligent homicide, a felony, to include vehicular homicide.
—Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
However, there has been quite a bit of backsliding since then, as well as an elastic understanding of what defines a democracy.
—Big Think, 14 Apr. 2026
Trailing leader Barcelona by nine points in the Spanish league, Madrid's best chance of success this season may be in the competition that defines it - the Champions League.
—ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
The difference between feeling comfortable and being comfortable on the scoreboard is often what defines the mindset of a Masters champion.
—Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2026
The wine style ultimately defines the ideal harvest window, dictating the balance of sugar, acidity and taste the winemaker is seeking.
—Maureen MacKey , Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 11 Apr. 2026
In the arms race for attention that defines political podcasting, few figures have expanded their reach as rapidly as Owens.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2026
This vast bundle of life and existence whirrs continually, creating the comforting harmonic tone that defines this place.
—Stephen Trimble, Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2026
The bill defines vehicular homicide more clearly and expands the crime of criminally negligent homicide, a felony, to include vehicular homicide.
—Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defines
Verb
-
Scheffler’s most personal philanthropic work traces back to a childhood friendship with James Ragan, a fellow junior golfer in Texas who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2006.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
10 Apr. 2026
-
This traces the origins of her house, from its first, paradigm-shifting garments to its present-day incarnation under current creative director, Daniel Roseberry.—
Jane Levere,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The crypto world has been buzzing in recent months about the potential for applying blockchain technology to agentic commerce, a term that describes AI agents undertaking purchases or other economic activity on a user’s behalf.—
Jack Kubinec,
Fortune,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The executive order describes a decline in public trust in science that began during the COVID-19 pandemic.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The author characterizes Huntington Beach itself as an inherently self-aggrandizing, wealthy coastal enclave unrepresentative of broader California concerns, dismissing the notion that this affluent beach town should serve as a model for statewide governance or the state’s future direction.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
-
But the decision also characterizes the law as viewpoint discrimination (specifically here the desire to change someone’s LGBTQ+ identity), which is almost never allowed under the First Amendment.—
Theresa Gaffney,
STAT,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
According to Crock-Pot’s brand site, the FDA specifies allowable amounts of lead, cadmium, and other substances, and its products meet or exceed those FDA requirements.—
Callie Sumlin,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
3 Apr. 2026
-
But instead, what the public saw was a term sheet that specifies at a very high level, a very weak settlement that really cements Live Nation's dominance, that will cement Live Nation's technology as the preferred ticketing infrastructure.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The report outlines that a firefighter on the outside saw Pitts through a window with metal bars.—
Tara Lynch,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The 25th Amendment outlines how presidential power transfers in cases of death, resignation, removal or inability to serve.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Colman Domingo and Nia Long play the singer’s parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson, while Miles Teller portrays lawyer John Branca.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Newcomers include Anthony Timpano, who plays Malcolm's youngest brother, Jamie, and Vaughan Murrae, who portrays Malcolm's youngest sibling, Kelly.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Wood, specifically Canaletto walnut, delineates many of these elements and unifies the apartment from entrance to end.—
Ludovica Stevan,
Architectural Digest,
22 Mar. 2026
-
The projection of Earth’s equator delineates the celestial equator, and the poles project onto the north and south celestial poles.—
Vahe Peroomian,
The Conversation,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Her 3-point shooting has jumped leaps and bounds from the early part of her college career.—
Matthew Coller,
Twin Cities,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Taking photos with the device so many people have in their pockets is leaps and bounds beyond photography equipment used during Apollo 17 – even the 1960s-era 35mm camera.—
Jennifer Levasseur,
The Conversation,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defines. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
