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
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2
as in describes
to mark the limits of
the river defines the town on the south
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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
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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
That care defines Cairo Film Festival’s identity as much as its programming.
—
Essie Assibu, Variety, 11 Nov. 2025
Shortly after, Rodríguez slipped and fell into a giant snowbank behind the goal, an image that defines Atletico Ottawa’s first CPL championship, with a 2-1 over Calgary’s Cavalry FC.
—Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
The bill will not have an immediate impact in Del Mar due to a tier system that defines the criteria for where it can be implemented.
—Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Nov. 2025
Investopedia defines it as a job done outside the office, typically requiring manual labor or skills in a particular trade.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025
The charter, which gets renewed at regular intervals, defines the BBC’s purposes and governance.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 9 Nov. 2025
The weather service defines snow squalls as short, but intense bursts of snow which typically result in minor accumulations.
—Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Nov. 2025
Now the cruelty that defines our attitudes toward children has a receptacle in social media.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 8 Nov. 2025
Clinically, the reaction reflects an undercurrent of anxiety that now defines New York politics.
—Newsweek Contributors, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Essie Assibu, Variety, 11 Nov. 2025
Shortly after, Rodríguez slipped and fell into a giant snowbank behind the goal, an image that defines Atletico Ottawa’s first CPL championship, with a 2-1 over Calgary’s Cavalry FC.
—Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
The bill will not have an immediate impact in Del Mar due to a tier system that defines the criteria for where it can be implemented.
—Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Nov. 2025
Investopedia defines it as a job done outside the office, typically requiring manual labor or skills in a particular trade.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025
The charter, which gets renewed at regular intervals, defines the BBC’s purposes and governance.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 9 Nov. 2025
The weather service defines snow squalls as short, but intense bursts of snow which typically result in minor accumulations.
—Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Nov. 2025
Now the cruelty that defines our attitudes toward children has a receptacle in social media.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 8 Nov. 2025
Clinically, the reaction reflects an undercurrent of anxiety that now defines New York politics.
—Newsweek Contributors, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defines
Verb
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The federal holiday traces back to the end of World War I.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Cosmic Goodness traces Gard’s journey forward, including a solo roadtrip from the city toward a new life in Montana.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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And, at the end of each chapter, the book describes how the evidence on each phenomenon has evolved and strengthened in the years since the original columns.—
Greg Rosalsky,
NPR,
11 Nov. 2025
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Miller's nomination describes her as having maintained great fortitude and excellent disposition, talent and character.—
Kenya Anderson,
Nashville Tennessean,
10 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
-
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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The bill outlines several key obligations aimed at protecting children and holding companies accountable for harmful interactions.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
5 Nov. 2025
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The suit, filed in Los Angeles Federal Court on Tuesday and reviewed by Variety, outlines a pattern of contract violations and misconduct regarding profit sharing, among other claims.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The more than 4,000-page indictment includes an organization chart that portrays Imamoglu as the founder and head of the criminal group.—
Reuters 17 hr ago,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
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In the video, Manilow portrays a character who sacrifices a traditional family life to pursue his dream as a performer.—
Paul Grein,
Billboard,
11 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 22 Nov. 2025.
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