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
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
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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
Australian law defines war crime murder as the intentional killing in a context of armed conflict of a person who is not taking an active part in the hostilities, such as a civilian, prisoner of war or a wounded soldier.
—
ABC News, 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 200-day near $65 is the line that defines the trend and it hasn't even been threatened.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2026
Five years on, that constraint defines the company.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 6 Apr. 2026
The doctors credit the joyful interior for creating the balance and energy that defines their days.
—Ludovica Stevan, Architectural Digest, 5 Apr. 2026
The neon palette that defines the brand, and the tradition, and the ritual, and the hate, remains largely intact, for now, and that’s because nothing is required to change.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2026
The scientific report that informed these recommendations defines moderate drinking as up to one drink per day for women and up to two per day for men.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Colorado’s law defines conversion therapy broadly.
—Kevin Cope, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
ABC News, 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 200-day near $65 is the line that defines the trend and it hasn't even been threatened.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2026
Five years on, that constraint defines the company.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 6 Apr. 2026
The doctors credit the joyful interior for creating the balance and energy that defines their days.
—Ludovica Stevan, Architectural Digest, 5 Apr. 2026
The neon palette that defines the brand, and the tradition, and the ritual, and the hate, remains largely intact, for now, and that’s because nothing is required to change.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2026
The scientific report that informed these recommendations defines moderate drinking as up to one drink per day for women and up to two per day for men.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Colorado’s law defines conversion therapy broadly.
—Kevin Cope, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defines
Verb
-
Origins of this Greek watermelon salad recipe Chef Karatassos traces this refreshing watermelon salad back to its Mediterranean roots, where simple seasonal ingredients take center stage.—
Monti Carlo,
AJC.com,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Curated by Alex Gartenfeld, Irma and Norman Braman Artistic Director, alongside Gean Moreno, Director of the Art + Research Center, Perfect Nonsense traces Korine’s enduring fascination with the American teenager, the outsider, and the intersection of celebrity and authenticity.—
Robert Lang,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Lynette Hooker's daughter, Karli Aylesworth, describes her mother as an experienced swimmer who has been sailing for more than 10 years.—
Cristian Benavides,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Raiff describes Ryan Coogler as his filmmaking idol and calls Coogler’s debut Fruitvale Station his favorite movie — but seeing the success of Sinners, a relatively commercial enterprise that won Coogler his first Oscar, opened his eyes in a new way.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
-
Other weirdness characterizes the city’s plan beginning with the decision to put a tourism agency, Choose Chicago, in charge.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
-
This report outlines the plant’s design, location, and safety systems.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Alexander outlines a process that includes planning, sourcing materials, building components and refining details.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In the Tim Burton–directed gothic fantasy-romance the actor quite literally portrays a humanoid with scissor blades for hands.—
Kathleen Perricone,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Lewis portrays Curator as a frustrated employee pushing against institutional norms and stagnation, balancing exasperation and displaying a knack for physical comedy.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
3 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
-
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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Star has grown by leaps and bounds the past decade and a half.—
Noah Daly,
Idaho Statesman,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Noah’s technical ability on snare drum is leaps and bounds ahead of other students his age, and his consistently excellent drumming anchors our drumline’s sound.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defines. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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