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
Cost-of-living concerns are driving voter preferences, with affordability emerging as a defining issue that could shape the election.
—
Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2026
The group delivered the defining play of the Phoenix game when Scheierman elevated to contest a shot at the rim, Harper soared in to block it off the backboard and Gonzalez raced the other way for a coast-to-coast Eurostep layup.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
Park Bo Young’s dual performance as twins Mi-ji and Mi-rae emerged as a powerful symbol of connection and growth, while writer Lee Kang delivered another defining work marked by emotionally resonant dialogue and depth.
—Partner Content, Variety, 25 Feb. 2026
Designed with a double-breasted blazer construction, the blazer featured a slim, waist-defining fit with a clean, collarless double-breasted silhouette.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 25 Feb. 2026
Lawmakers in Connecticut still see it as the defining affordability issue, with the hopes that a renewal of the federal subsidies can still happen.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 25 Feb. 2026
Stars like Natalie Portman and Ariana Grande have worn the dress in different homages to Hepburn and her legacy-defining film.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026
But the language allowed the money to go to teachers and staff, without specifically defining who the staff was.
—Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 25 Feb. 2026
The design language of the eyewear draws specifically from the Targa’s roll bar, a defining structural element that debuted in 1965 as a safety solution for open-top driving that has since become one of Porsche’s most recognizable signatures.
—Taylor Stoddard, Robb Report, 25 Feb. 2026
Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2026
The group delivered the defining play of the Phoenix game when Scheierman elevated to contest a shot at the rim, Harper soared in to block it off the backboard and Gonzalez raced the other way for a coast-to-coast Eurostep layup.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
Park Bo Young’s dual performance as twins Mi-ji and Mi-rae emerged as a powerful symbol of connection and growth, while writer Lee Kang delivered another defining work marked by emotionally resonant dialogue and depth.
—Partner Content, Variety, 25 Feb. 2026
Designed with a double-breasted blazer construction, the blazer featured a slim, waist-defining fit with a clean, collarless double-breasted silhouette.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 25 Feb. 2026
Lawmakers in Connecticut still see it as the defining affordability issue, with the hopes that a renewal of the federal subsidies can still happen.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 25 Feb. 2026
Stars like Natalie Portman and Ariana Grande have worn the dress in different homages to Hepburn and her legacy-defining film.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026
But the language allowed the money to go to teachers and staff, without specifically defining who the staff was.
—Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 25 Feb. 2026
The design language of the eyewear draws specifically from the Targa’s roll bar, a defining structural element that debuted in 1965 as a safety solution for open-top driving that has since become one of Porsche’s most recognizable signatures.
—Taylor Stoddard, Robb Report, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defining
Verb
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This fascinating film features interviews and previously unseen behind-the-scenes footage of the two I Love Lucy stars, tracing the arc of their love story and coinciding careers.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Try to control the fungal activity by tracing the declining limbs back to healthy portions of the hedge.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Sun Princess has 30 restaurants and bars, so describing each in detail isn’t possible here.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Many Democrats, meanwhile, wondered which union the president had been describing.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Some rank-and-file cops also disagreed with how the mayor is characterizing the incident.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
25 Feb. 2026
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Former state Controller Betty Yee pushed back forcefully against pressure to exit the race, characterizing such efforts as undemocratic and noting that the race remains wide open with a significant portion of voters still undecided.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Apart from specifying that the number of wolves had to exceed the state’s endangerment cutoff, legislators never defined what such a sustainable level might be.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Entire chapters specifying how nuclear material should be secured and what sorts of physical barriers should be built to protect it have been reduced to bullet points.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Much of that material is now unavailable, along with catastrophe models used to develop rates, and emails outlining regulators’ objections to how rates were developed.—
Ron Hurtibise,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Feb. 2026
-
In an interview with CBS News Texas, West said Plano has delivered a letter of intent outlining its offer, even as the Stars continue negotiating with Dallas on a plan that could keep the team at American Airlines Center beyond its 2031 lease expiration.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Photos shared by the department show a silvery gray fox bounding majestically across a white snowy plain beneath towering, sunlit alpine peaks.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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Mars is bounding into your partnership zone, which invites assertive boundary talks that protect your generous spirit while keeping agreements fair for all involved parties.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But Thornton is less interested in portraying his characters as victims than survivors, bound together by the strength of love and resilience.—
Teresa Xie,
NPR,
20 Feb. 2026
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To see an artist of this caliber in such a vulnerable position of trying something new coincided with portraying a character at a turning point in his life.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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His groin injury was ultimately too limiting to play through.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
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Allen also recommends starting with small amounts and limiting your intake to once daily.—
Mira Miller,
Verywell Health,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defining. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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