1
as in tracing
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 describing
to mark the limits of
the river defines the town on the south
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in characterizing
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 specifying
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 defining
Urbana always had a conservative bent, but its politics have become a defining feature in the intervening years.
—
Grace Byron, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2025
Here, teachers aren’t supposed to tell students that the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 — a defining incident of racial violence in Oklahoma history — was perpetrated by racists.
—Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 22 Oct. 2025
WalletHub also ranked the top destinations for baseball lovers by size — defining large cities as those with more than 300,000 people, midsize cities as those with 100,000 to 300,000 residents and small cities as those with fewer than 100,000 people.
—Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Or to send any kind of message that stifles his defining disposition.
—Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
The new box set features a concert ticket from the career-defining Nintendo Fusion Tour.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
Hurricanes, wildfires, droughts, and floods have evolved from rare occurrences into defining regional features for America’s most coveted retirement destinations.
—Alex Ohnona, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
But the God-fearing, first-time candidate is hoping to appeal to Florida voters at a time that the Democratic Party is struggling trying to find relevance or a defining identity in the MAGA era.
—Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2025
Belts are also making a strong comeback, defining waists over outerwear and dresses, while headwear has become unexpectedly directional again.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
Grace Byron, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2025
Here, teachers aren’t supposed to tell students that the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 — a defining incident of racial violence in Oklahoma history — was perpetrated by racists.
—Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 22 Oct. 2025
WalletHub also ranked the top destinations for baseball lovers by size — defining large cities as those with more than 300,000 people, midsize cities as those with 100,000 to 300,000 residents and small cities as those with fewer than 100,000 people.
—Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Or to send any kind of message that stifles his defining disposition.
—Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
The new box set features a concert ticket from the career-defining Nintendo Fusion Tour.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
Hurricanes, wildfires, droughts, and floods have evolved from rare occurrences into defining regional features for America’s most coveted retirement destinations.
—Alex Ohnona, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
But the God-fearing, first-time candidate is hoping to appeal to Florida voters at a time that the Democratic Party is struggling trying to find relevance or a defining identity in the MAGA era.
—Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2025
Belts are also making a strong comeback, defining waists over outerwear and dresses, while headwear has become unexpectedly directional again.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defining
Verb
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The new trailer for the doc teases its massive scope, tracing Murphy’s rise from a stand-up sensation and Saturday Night Live star to a performer capable of completely dominating the cultural landscape.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
22 Oct. 2025
-
While Big Band music has roots tracing back to New Orleans, its major hubs included New York, Chicago and Kansas City.—
Alexa Stone
Updated October 21,
Kansas City Star,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Unicredit beats watch now Italian bank Unicredit also posted quarterly earnings above expectations on Wednesday, describing the three months to the end of September as a record quarter.—
Chloe Taylor,Tasmin Lockwood,Katrina Bishop,Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
22 Oct. 2025
-
After walking through the results of the study and describing the peril that cancer poses, Mokdad suggested to the officials that Lebanon could improve its health screening, ban smoking in public spaces and launch a set of aggressive anti-tobacco ads.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But Rodriguez and Patacsil expressed skepticism about how other members were characterizing that advice.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, condemned the protest, characterizing it as an attempt to obstruct law enforcement operations.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Zydlewski worked with Collins’s office to revise Sea Grant’s funding application, specifying how the program aligned with Administration priorities.—
Emma Green,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Approximately 50 soldiers guarding the vehicles attempted to repel the attackers, presidential spokesperson Carolina Jaramillo said, without specifying whether anyone was injured.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The 22-page document outlining the allegations and charges against Judge Bronwyn Miller, a former prosecutor and current judge on Miami’s 3rd District Court of Appeal, was filed Thursday evening with the Florida Supreme Court.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
25 Oct. 2025
-
As the industry geared up to gather in Venice, the Senate Committee passed a draft law outlining a voluntary certification system for brands’ pipeline across all tiers of subcontracting, aimed at ensuring legality and traceability throughout, as reported.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Instead of bounding in with excitement, the golden retriever looks terrified.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
-
The Babycatcher made a slight movement, just a twitch, and the ugliest dog anyone ever saw came bounding up behind him.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Actor Wilson Cruz cited Rebel Without a Cause as a massive influence on his life and career as a gay man portraying a gay character.—
Skyler Trepel,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Star Kenzi Richardson spoke with Parents about her adventures portraying a teen vampire and making her dreams come true on Disney Channel.—
Allison McClain Merrill,
Parents,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Schuster said the angle at which the landing area crosses the Fujian’s deck is only 6 degrees off center, compared with 9 degrees on the US carriers, limiting space between the landing strip and the forward two catapults.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
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The Jayhawks did an excellent job of getting back in transition, limiting Louisville’s fast-break opportunities.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defining. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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