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
This expanding screen defines the Legion Pro Rollable concept.
—
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Jan. 2026
Locals cherish the balance between welcoming visitors and preserving the serenity that defines their hometowns.
—Amplified Content Studio, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
Cirium defines large airports as those handling 25 to 50 million seats annually, medium airports are those handling 15 to 20 million, and small airports handle between 5 and 15 million.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 5 Jan. 2026
This same determination defines his approach to law.
—Malana Vantyler, Sacbee.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Dawn defines the workout — cool air, clear water, a sense that the day will be all right.
—Eric Barton, Sun Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2026
The research and online brokerage group defines luxury homes as residences in the top 5% of the area’s price range.
—Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 2 Jan. 2026
That care defines Cairo Film Festival’s identity as much as its programming.
—Essie Assibu, Variety, 11 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
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Jan. 2026
Locals cherish the balance between welcoming visitors and preserving the serenity that defines their hometowns.
—Amplified Content Studio, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
Cirium defines large airports as those handling 25 to 50 million seats annually, medium airports are those handling 15 to 20 million, and small airports handle between 5 and 15 million.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 5 Jan. 2026
This same determination defines his approach to law.
—Malana Vantyler, Sacbee.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Dawn defines the workout — cool air, clear water, a sense that the day will be all right.
—Eric Barton, Sun Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2026
The research and online brokerage group defines luxury homes as residences in the top 5% of the area’s price range.
—Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 2 Jan. 2026
That care defines Cairo Film Festival’s identity as much as its programming.
—Essie Assibu, Variety, 11 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defines
Verb
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The former first lady is currently promoting her latest book The Look, which traces her sartorial journey since entering the public eye.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
5 Jan. 2026
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The play traces Chaudhuri’s family history from the Trail of Tears to her grandfather’s allotment in central Oklahoma.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Lopez describes her daughter as an energetic, talkative child who speaks both English and Spanish.—
Leondra Head,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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Among the more moving cases that Blair describes are those of people who in life were vulnerable and powerless but in death were considered formidable threats.—
Rivka Galchen,
New Yorker,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Coach has never been one to miss an opportunity for self-aggrandizement, and this quote effectively characterizes his three previous Survivor appearances not as failures but as bold attempts to tame a raging sea.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
19 Dec. 2025
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The complaint characterizes the allegations as minor, noting that similar conduct is common at athletic events and other campus activities without disciplinary consequences.—
David Hudnall,
Kansas City Star,
18 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Use this setting for any clothing that specifies permanent press on the care tag, as well as with more delicate fabrics that tend to wrinkle.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
5 Jan. 2026
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Instead, Indiana's Open Door Law only specifies the public's right to observe and record meetings.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The Florida Department of Revenue exemptions page outlines eligibility requirements for these programs.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2026
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The current policy for ICE and DHS agents outlines very narrow acceptable reasons for an officer to fire a weapon into a moving vehicle.—
Caroline Cummings,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Mekia Cox, who portrays Nyla Harper, wed basketball analyst Britt Leach in 2018, according to The Knot.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
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Arnett, Cooper, and Mark Chappell cowrote the screenplay, and Cooper portrays Balls, Alex's actor friend who serves as the film's comic relief.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
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 14 Jan. 2026.
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