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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defines
The piece is also topped by a jeweled medallion, adding to the sense of theatricality that often defines the studio’s late 19th-century commissions.
—
Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
There’s always at least one tone that defines a season—in recent times, butter yellow, chocolate brown, and cherry red have all been top contenders—but what seemed particularly impactful this season was how many brands embraced poignant palettes.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 21 Apr. 2026
Someone who defines how it’s done.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
Our integrity defines us as an organization and drives our mission of providing accountability in our public safety efforts.
—Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
If there is an official anthem for the weirdness that defines Portland, this may be the one.
—Spin Team, SPIN, 20 Apr. 2026
There have been at least 114 mass shootings in the US so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which, like CNN, defines a mass shooting as one in which four or more people are shot, not including the shooter.
—Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
There’s a danger that what defines Apple in the future will simply be its hardware.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 20 Apr. 2026
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
Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
There’s always at least one tone that defines a season—in recent times, butter yellow, chocolate brown, and cherry red have all been top contenders—but what seemed particularly impactful this season was how many brands embraced poignant palettes.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 21 Apr. 2026
Someone who defines how it’s done.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
Our integrity defines us as an organization and drives our mission of providing accountability in our public safety efforts.
—Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
If there is an official anthem for the weirdness that defines Portland, this may be the one.
—Spin Team, SPIN, 20 Apr. 2026
There have been at least 114 mass shootings in the US so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which, like CNN, defines a mass shooting as one in which four or more people are shot, not including the shooter.
—Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
There’s a danger that what defines Apple in the future will simply be its hardware.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 20 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defines
Verb
-
The film traces the journey of a courtesan and poet in Lucknow, India.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The airline’s history in Charlotte traces back to Piedmont Airlines, which made CLT a hub in 1982.—
Emily Broyles,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The owner of concert promoter Brew Ha Ha Productions describes himself as a libertarian-leaning conservative who built his career in San Juan Capistrano.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Rostec describes the jet as a record-holder in enemy aircraft interceptions.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
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Enough for a Summer Outing Dyson specifies that the HushJet Mini Cool can run for up to 6 hours on the lowest fan speed.—
Andrew Gebhart,
PC Magazine,
18 Apr. 2026
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California law specifies timelines during which a special election may be scheduled, with a primary election nine or 10 weeks beforehand.—
Grace Hase,
Mercury News,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The report outlines that a firefighter on the outside saw Pitts through a window with metal bars.—
Tara Lynch,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
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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
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Hunter Schafer portrays Rue’s former girlfriend Jules in Euphoria, but in real life, the actress and model is single.—
Katie Mannion,
PEOPLE,
19 Apr. 2026
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On the other side of Lexington Green, Mike Graves also portrays a Revolutionary War figure, albeit one wearing red.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Wood, specifically Canaletto walnut, delineates many of these elements and unifies the apartment from entrance to end.—
Ludovica Stevan,
Architectural Digest,
22 Mar. 2026
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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
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Her 3-point shooting has jumped leaps and bounds from the early part of her college career.—
Matthew Coller,
Twin Cities,
12 Apr. 2026
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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 22 Apr. 2026.
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