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
The legislation defines crimes such as bank robberies and the use of violence to dominate territories or economic activities, with sentences reaching up to 66 years.
—
Evandro Cruz Silva, The Dial, 10 Feb. 2026
That calculation, Israeli analysts say, defines the red line.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
There’s no single personality type that defines good leadership, and anyone who tells you otherwise clearly hasn’t spent much time leading.
—Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
The bed adds privacy and defines the space around the flagstone paver patio.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Feb. 2026
The first-draft Human Brain Cell Atlas, based on 3 million cells from the brains of three deceased people, defines 3,313 cell types.
—Amber Dance, Quanta Magazine, 9 Feb. 2026
Nothing defines the face quite like your eyebrows.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2026
It has also been updated to clarify that Hans defines ultra-high net worth as between $10 million and $20 million.
—Megan Sauer, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026
That spirit of inclusion still defines her legacy.
—Najahe Sherman, Miami Herald, 3 Feb. 2026
Evandro Cruz Silva, The Dial, 10 Feb. 2026
That calculation, Israeli analysts say, defines the red line.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
There’s no single personality type that defines good leadership, and anyone who tells you otherwise clearly hasn’t spent much time leading.
—Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
The bed adds privacy and defines the space around the flagstone paver patio.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Feb. 2026
The first-draft Human Brain Cell Atlas, based on 3 million cells from the brains of three deceased people, defines 3,313 cell types.
—Amber Dance, Quanta Magazine, 9 Feb. 2026
Nothing defines the face quite like your eyebrows.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2026
It has also been updated to clarify that Hans defines ultra-high net worth as between $10 million and $20 million.
—Megan Sauer, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026
That spirit of inclusion still defines her legacy.
—Najahe Sherman, Miami Herald, 3 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defines
Verb
-
The blurred surge, of course, traces back to K-beauty, where this finish has been popular for years.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The firm traces its roots to 2015 when co-founders Cassandra Curtis and Ari Raz created recipes that focused on organic and real food, according to the filing.—
Bloomberg,
Oc Register,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Frankenstein is nominated for nine Oscars, the bulk of which highlight its decadent design, all rooted in the kind of deep, immersive research that Deverell describes.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Feb. 2026
-
In a Federal Communications Commission application, SpaceX describes how the centers would transmit the data via optical, or laser, signals to the Starlink network for transmission to the ground while the entire system is in a low orbit roughly 300 miles to 1,200 miles above Earth.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
What is a greater hit against a presidential administration that characterizes itself as the party of family values than marrying two people in love on stage?—
Taylor Crumpton,
Time,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The author argues this economic leverage represents the only meaningful way to hold the country accountable for what the author characterizes as federal overreach.—
Carlos De Loera,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The bill specifies that the armed volunteers would be able to provide services on any property owned or leased by a religious institution, including property used for education.—
Lauren Costantino
February 5,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The listing typically specifies the max size and hookup situation.—
Outside,
Outside,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Through documentary works and material, the exhibition outlines the complex interplay between traditional Chinese philosophies and the new worldview forged by intelligent machines.—
Denni Hu,
Footwear News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
And the American health care system isn't set up to help people get through it, Mauldin outlines in the book, by way of inaccessible health care, lack of caregiver supports, expensive treatments and an overall de-valuing of sick people and those with disabilities.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Famine report portrays a grim picture In recent months, Kordofan has become a flashpoint in the war and the army managed to break the RSF siege of two major cities in the region earlier this year.—
Samy Magdy,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Famine report portrays a grim picture In recent months, Kordofan has become a tinderbox in the war, and the army managed to break the RSF siege of two major cities in the region earlier this year.—
Samy Magdy,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
There is an unmarked though unmistakable border that delineates passage into a different ecosystem, a different landscape, a different experience of being within the land.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Nov. 2025
-
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
Verb
-
In the special filmed at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago, Fleming bounds across the stage sharing his takes on masculinity, conga lines, Trader Joes, Oreos, NPR, dog breeds and more.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
10 Feb. 2026
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Each time Ivy's owner, Ryan, draws nearer, the dog fakes him out and bounds away, tail wagging.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defines. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
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