Thesaurus results for DEFINING

defining

verb

present participle of define

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

as in describing

to mark the limits of the river defines the town on the south

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of defining His father is a pastor, and Holley calls his faith the defining characteristic of his life. —

Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026 The city’s food cart pods are a defining feature of its culinary identity, and the hub at SE 50th & Division is a great place to start. —

Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2026 This approach highlights the individual rather than defining them by a diagnosis, fostering dignity and respect. —

Oc Register, 15 Apr. 2026 If energy policy is a defining issue in American history, then ExxonMobil has played a leading role in shaping the economy and identity of the nation. —

Alex Kuffner, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026 Georgia’s budget surplus becomes a defining contrast in the governor’s race. —

Adam Beam, AJC.com, 15 Apr. 2026 For business leaders, this is the defining talent challenge of the decade. —

Jeff Raikes, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2026 The many-years-sober Levinson drew from his experiences as an addict to shape Euphoria, but more important were his edgelord proclivities, which went from shading the story of how these high-schoolers lived to defining it. —

Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026 But Shapiro warned Democrats against defining themselves solely in opposition to Trump, arguing the party must offer a clear governing vision. —

Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 8 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defining

Verb

This over 1,000-mile route weaves through breathtaking Great Lakes landscapes, tracing the edge of the glacier that covered these parts over 12,000 years ago.

— Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2026
New Mexico More than half of Route 66 cuts through sovereign Native American lands, often tracing routes used by tribes long before settlers arrived.

— Susan Montoya Bryan, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026