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
One of the defining images of this Super Bowl run for Patriots fans will be a bloodied Vrabel, grinning after a celebratory headbutt from Milton Williams after a fourth-down sack that sealed a wild-card win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
—
Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
With endurance as its defining advantage, the aircraft aims to support future mission networks that demand persistent sensing and rapid decision-making at scale.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Feb. 2026
That ethos shaped her diplomatic career and has been a defining thread across generations, with both of her sons also serving in the military.
—Yamlek Mojica Loaisiga, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Each class is led by a different land professional, as students learn everything from leasing mineral rights to defining land management.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Feb. 2026
The defining factor will once again be their salary limit.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Today, two distinct strategic models are defining the horizon.
—Sahar Hashmi, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
In Hollywood, where perception is everything, that narrative risks defining him permanently.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Crocs is hoping to reintroduce itself with the launch of a new global brand campaign aimed at defining its next chapter.
—Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 28 Jan. 2026
Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
With endurance as its defining advantage, the aircraft aims to support future mission networks that demand persistent sensing and rapid decision-making at scale.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Feb. 2026
That ethos shaped her diplomatic career and has been a defining thread across generations, with both of her sons also serving in the military.
—Yamlek Mojica Loaisiga, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Each class is led by a different land professional, as students learn everything from leasing mineral rights to defining land management.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Feb. 2026
The defining factor will once again be their salary limit.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Today, two distinct strategic models are defining the horizon.
—Sahar Hashmi, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
In Hollywood, where perception is everything, that narrative risks defining him permanently.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Crocs is hoping to reintroduce itself with the launch of a new global brand campaign aimed at defining its next chapter.
—Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 28 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defining
Verb
-
The multi-instrumentalist released this song in the wake of George Floyd’s death taking those three devastating words as her title and tracing Black suffering all the way back to slavery.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The virus was first identified after people who had been in contact with infected pigs became seriously ill, with researchers later tracing the source to bats.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Savannah Guthrie opened the family’s plea by thanking supporters for their prayers before describing her mother as the heart of their family and making a direct appeal for contact, stressing Nancy Guthrie’s fragile health and urgent need for medication.—
Adam Sabes , Michael Ruiz , Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Kurkdjian translated that same idea into scent, describing the partnership as both rare and intuitive.—
Ryma Chikhoune,
Footwear News,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Its president, Wolfson, is blunt in characterizing the settlements.—
Bill Chappell,
NPR,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The Conservatives, currently led by Kemi Badenoch, slammed Braverman following her defection, characterizing her as an inevitable turncoat and questioning her mental faculties.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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Include your name, phone number and email address specifying February Writing Workshop.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The city of Decatur is outlining the steps it's been taking to boost security at schools.—
Monique John,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
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But on June 8, 2023, officers issued an environmental protection compliance order to the company, outlining steps the company was to take.—
Kathryn Hopkins,
Footwear News,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
-
There might be nothing more adorable than the sight of a fluffy puppy or kitten bounding around the corner to surprise its new owner.—
Terry Ward,
USA Today,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Jacobus started his career in finance in the early 1990s, but that quickly spiraled into him falsely portraying himself as a seasoned financial advisor who managed legitimate investment portfolios, authorities said.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
7 Feb. 2026
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Hollywood did end up telling that story, with Ben Foster ultimately portraying the actor as a villain in the 2015 movie The Program, which Armstrong was not a part of.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Unlike traditional sportsbooks, which typically lock bettors into wagers, prediction market users can trade in and out of positions before events are settled, limiting losses or locking in profits.—
Suzy Khimm,
NBC news,
5 Feb. 2026
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Early childhood advocates in California tend to err on the side of limiting testing as well, Fuller said.—
Makiya Seminera,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defining. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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