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
Across all nine episodes, Malone’s soundtrack threads together the romance, friction, and tragedy that defines the story of one of the 1990s’ most talked-about couples.
—
Riann Phillip, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2026
That foundation becomes the constraint that defines what can be scaled and what cannot.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
That tension between speed and proof defines this moment.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Mar. 2026
That's the process that defines what a main-sequence star is.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 6 Mar. 2026
The United Nations defines greenwashing as misleading claims that exaggerate or fabricate environmental benefits, slowing real progress and confusing consumers.
—Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2026
Many who have grown skeptical of the word capitalism still embrace and celebrate the economic freedom that defines it.
—Justin Callais, Twin Cities, 5 Mar. 2026
Beyond shelling, outdoor life defines the island.
—Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2026
However, instead of keeping the crystalline order, the team developed a method to maintain the tight packing of the disks while removing the repeating structure that defines crystals.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Mar. 2026
Riann Phillip, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2026
That foundation becomes the constraint that defines what can be scaled and what cannot.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
That tension between speed and proof defines this moment.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Mar. 2026
That's the process that defines what a main-sequence star is.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 6 Mar. 2026
The United Nations defines greenwashing as misleading claims that exaggerate or fabricate environmental benefits, slowing real progress and confusing consumers.
—Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2026
Many who have grown skeptical of the word capitalism still embrace and celebrate the economic freedom that defines it.
—Justin Callais, Twin Cities, 5 Mar. 2026
Beyond shelling, outdoor life defines the island.
—Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2026
However, instead of keeping the crystalline order, the team developed a method to maintain the tight packing of the disks while removing the repeating structure that defines crystals.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defines
Verb
-
Sesame’s lawsuit traces the dispute to 2022, saying SeaWorld’s owner failed to pay millions of dollars in royalties due to Sesame Workshop for Sesame Place, a theme park in Langhorne, Pennsylvania.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Mar. 2026
-
This is a story that traces the path to justice for mass atrocity in the face of public acquiescence.—
Sheila Coronel,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Gourd-Mercado describes it as an exploration of the future of storytelling for Palestinian filmmakers — those based in Gaza, those in the diaspora, those born elsewhere but shaped by their identity.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Breakout voice skips the commentary Parnas, who describes himself as an independent reporter, had a breakout year in 2025.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
From the Cold War to the hostage crisis, Matin-Asgari characterizes the countries’ long relationship as a matrix of intrigue and influence.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The tech entrepreneur, who founded a fitness app and a financial management platform catering to young and wealthy customers, also characterizes Khanna’s stock trading as hypocritical since the congressman campaigns on easing inequality.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And the amendment specifies that the bill would only apply to convictions that occur beginning July 1, 2026.—
Stephen Gruber-Miller,
Des Moines Register,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The constitution of the British Indian Ocean Territory specifies that no one has a right of abode on the islands.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The vaccine schedule outlines the immunizations recommended for all children and required for those in community settings like schools, day cares, colleges and group homes.—
Kaitlin McCallum,
Hartford Courant,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The legislation also outlines processes related to absentee voting and casting provisional ballots when someone doesn’t have a photo ID at the polls.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
So the scientific jury is out on how Hoppers portrays consciousness as transferrable.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The exterior of the Freedom Express portrays 10 key moments in American history from the signing of the Declaration of Independence to the Apollo 11 moon landing.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
One path forward would be serious discussion of a modern city charter that more clearly delineates executive and legislative roles.—
Sara Albrecht,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Over six feet tall and skinny, with a mass of reddish curls, Fleming leaps and bounds across stage while delivering riffs on the bitmoji skills of baby boomers, ballads dedicated to deceased chain craft store Joann’s Fabrics, and Celine Dion’s gamer sons.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
28 Feb. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Defines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defines. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
