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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defining
Long before the disputes that would ultimately lead to the colonies seeking their independence from England, racial slavery had become a defining feature of Virginia’s economic and social structure.
—
Tracy Grant,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
24 June 2026
That’s the gist of a 181-page report from a team of University of California researchers that was charged with defining the factors to be resolved before such a system could be implemented.
—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
23 June 2026
In that world, crypto's defining will not be a loud disruption but a quiet rewrite of what finance can do.
—
Mike Cahill,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
District 4 Commissoner Chakira Johnson also called for more transparency in the defining and regulating process.
—
Kaley Fedko,
CBS News,
23 June 2026
However, the defining challenge of the next decade will be finding ways to advance all three together.
—
Sebastian Buckup,
Fortune,
23 June 2026
Both came to the Nats in the aforementioned — and franchise-defining — trade away of Soto in 2022.
—
Barry Svrluga,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
On the question of how to categorize JioStar, Vaz positioned the company as a technology business first, with storytelling as its core driver rather than its defining identity.
—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
17 June 2026
From the return of decade-defining fashion trends and toys to restaurants dishing out deeply nostalgic foods, '90s culture has seen a sweeping resurgence in 2026.
—
Kelly McCarthy,
ABC News,
17 June 2026
Tracy Grant,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
24 June 2026
That’s the gist of a 181-page report from a team of University of California researchers that was charged with defining the factors to be resolved before such a system could be implemented.
—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
23 June 2026
In that world, crypto's defining will not be a loud disruption but a quiet rewrite of what finance can do.
—
Mike Cahill,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
District 4 Commissoner Chakira Johnson also called for more transparency in the defining and regulating process.
—
Kaley Fedko,
CBS News,
23 June 2026
However, the defining challenge of the next decade will be finding ways to advance all three together.
—
Sebastian Buckup,
Fortune,
23 June 2026
Both came to the Nats in the aforementioned — and franchise-defining — trade away of Soto in 2022.
—
Barry Svrluga,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
On the question of how to categorize JioStar, Vaz positioned the company as a technology business first, with storytelling as its core driver rather than its defining identity.
—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
17 June 2026
From the return of decade-defining fashion trends and toys to restaurants dishing out deeply nostalgic foods, '90s culture has seen a sweeping resurgence in 2026.
—
Kelly McCarthy,
ABC News,
17 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defining
Verb
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After tracing Petitpas to a hotel in Holyoke, the Hartford Police Major Crimes Division, Massachusetts State Police and Holyoke Police Department responded to the hotel and evacuated all the rooms.
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There’s marigold and chamomile for their significance in Mexican culture, and the hibiscus flower, which has a long history across the Pacific Rim, tracing a lot of the places that ended up with chamoy and sour plums.
Verb
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Scientists think this macromolecular (meaning large) complex carbon, could hold evidence that ancient microbial life once existed in the same sedimentary material, according to one new paper describing these observations.
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Crane offered a similar read, describing the collection as both new and familiar — the kind of pieces that could believably have been thrifted from a Venice Beach shop, even as fabrications like Terry and slub cotton give them a softer, more contemporary hand.
Verb
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White added some thoughts about focusing in on people, characterizing what often happens in collaborations.
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Supporters of the high-earner tax for public education have been quick to stress it’s been in place for more than a decade, characterizing any rollback of it as a tax cut for the wealthy.
Verb
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On June 11, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department released a statement specifying that Mexican authorities had not contacted them about the tip or the search efforts, but saying the investigation was still ongoing.
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Its Senate sponsor, Chicago Democrat Ram Villivalam, acknowledged more work was needed without specifying what stalled the bill.
Verb
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Thomas Tuchel, head coach of the England men’s national team, stands before his players in a meeting room in the spring of 2025, outlining the goal for the country’s 2026 World Cup campaign.
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The policy says students within Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools retain First Amendment rights while also outlining circumstances the school can restrict speech deemed disruptive.
Verb
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But Adams is bounding around the rooftop beaming, teeth porcelain-white, face slathered in makeup, hair firmly coiffed.
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With the Rockies holding a 7-0 lead, Rumfield sent a drive to deep right-center, where the ball grazed the outside of Adell's glove before hitting his head and bounding over the wall.
Verb
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In one section, Mayer turns her focus to Diana, portraying the late princess as a woman whose extraordinary capacity for empathy was matched by a deep belief in romance — and whose hopes for love often collided with reality.
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Now that this population is finally getting highlighted more directly in media, what should these shows and movies be portraying?
Verb
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Uber and the Consumer Attorneys of California agreed to withdraw competing November ballot measures and pursue joint legislation limiting medical liens and tightening Uber driver background checks.
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Golden State had a whopping nine offensive rebounds while limiting Dallas to two offensive boards all night.
Cite this Entry
“Defining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defining. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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