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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defines
There is also the matter of landing accuracy, typically described as a landing ellipse, or the elliptical area on a planetary surface that defines the range of possible touchdown spots for a spacecraft.
—
Andrew Jones, Space.com, 1 Oct. 2025
The law defines catastrophic risk narrowly as incidents potentially causing 50+ deaths or $1 billion in damage through weapons assistance, autonomous criminal acts, or loss of control.
—ArsTechnica, 30 Sep. 2025
Either way, this figures to be a season that defines Grant’s tenure in Portland.
—Jason Quick, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
In a memo to senior Pentagon leaders and combatant commands, Hegseth called on his top adviser on personnel issues to conduct a 30-day review of how the military defines hazing, bullying and harassment.
—Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2025
Holmgren defines a set of twelve design principles, which, rooted in the three permaculture ethics, provide a framework for sustainable design and culture as a whole.
—Catherine Habgood
september 29, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
And veteran Variety international correspondent John Hopewell reports on the stars, including Jennifer Lawrence, the industry buzz, the movies and the gorgeous locale that defines the San Sebastian Film Festival on the coast of Spain.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025
The Gun Violence Archive (GVA), a nonprofit research group, defines a mass shooting as an incident where four or more people are injured or killed by gunfire, not including the suspect.
—Kristi Tanner, Freep.com, 28 Sep. 2025
On a page titled ‘Role and desired outcomes,’ the Spencer Stuart job spec defines what success will look like across three areas in the first 12-18 months of next Channel 4 CEO’s tenure.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2025
Andrew Jones, Space.com, 1 Oct. 2025
The law defines catastrophic risk narrowly as incidents potentially causing 50+ deaths or $1 billion in damage through weapons assistance, autonomous criminal acts, or loss of control.
—ArsTechnica, 30 Sep. 2025
Either way, this figures to be a season that defines Grant’s tenure in Portland.
—Jason Quick, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
In a memo to senior Pentagon leaders and combatant commands, Hegseth called on his top adviser on personnel issues to conduct a 30-day review of how the military defines hazing, bullying and harassment.
—Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2025
Holmgren defines a set of twelve design principles, which, rooted in the three permaculture ethics, provide a framework for sustainable design and culture as a whole.
—Catherine Habgood
september 29, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
And veteran Variety international correspondent John Hopewell reports on the stars, including Jennifer Lawrence, the industry buzz, the movies and the gorgeous locale that defines the San Sebastian Film Festival on the coast of Spain.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025
The Gun Violence Archive (GVA), a nonprofit research group, defines a mass shooting as an incident where four or more people are injured or killed by gunfire, not including the suspect.
—Kristi Tanner, Freep.com, 28 Sep. 2025
On a page titled ‘Role and desired outcomes,’ the Spencer Stuart job spec defines what success will look like across three areas in the first 12-18 months of next Channel 4 CEO’s tenure.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defines
Verb
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Thus, the project traces the societal implications of the deification of physical beauty, and how the international plastic surgery industry promotes these oppressive standards.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
28 Sep. 2025
-
The drama, set in a remote borderland town, traces the lives of locals grappling with history’s lingering shadows, blending Zhang’s trademark lyricism with a stark social critique.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As Mark describes his strategies, his reflections quickly outleap the specifics of the sport and take on a philosophical dimension.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Yep, that describes the Giants for most of the summer, all right.—
Grant Brisbee,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But what characterizes this style?—
Irene Reyes,
Glamour,
23 Sep. 2025
-
The documentary characterizes this apparent persecution of Mosby as part of the same beast keeping Syed in prison.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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
-
Each recipe is indicated by a code—O means the Four Roses distillery; B or E indicates the mashbill (B is 35 percent rye, E is 20 percent rye); S means straight whiskey; and the last letter specifies the yeast strain, each of which brings a different flavor profile to the whiskey.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Financial Affairs Committee approved the term sheet, which outlines tax incremental financing details, in March 2025.—
Bridget Fogarty,
jsonline.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Working with powerful clients, the docuseries outlines how Hanson was recruited by the dangerous Mexican drug cartel Sinaloa, as his networking skills and people knowledge were of great value to them.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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On the series, Galligan portrays Lady Olivia Hedges-White, a real-life aristocrat from a once-prominent family.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Sep. 2025
-
DiCaprio portrays the character as someone who is both actively trying to be progressive but also frustrated by his limitations.—
Richard Newby,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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
-
Specific Solutions The paper delineates specific solutions that collectively could swiftly enhance EU economic growth and international competitiveness.—
Alden Abbott,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While the immediate retooling impacts the auto workforce across the state, the shifts also affect the international competition where experts think China and Europe are leaps and bounds ahead of American EV technology and adoption.—
Stuart Dyos,
Nashville Tennessean,
20 Sep. 2025
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With technology growing by leaps and bounds every day, more and more tasks can be automated.—
Adam Coffey,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defines. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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