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
Likewise, Kumiko Ogawa’s costumes include character-defining garments as well as elaborate getups for the plays, some of which are constructed for suspenseful onstage costume changes.
—
Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2025
Once viewed as a sideline to his film and comedy career, Martin’s music has instead become a defining pillar.
—Russ Penuell, Billboard, 29 Oct. 2025
Despite his short career, Dean became an everlasting cultural icon, defining 1950s youth culture, teen rebellion and countercultural movements for years to come.
—Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Asked to recall their favorite WWD memory, many designers cited their career-defining cover stories.
—Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
One of the new regime’s first major deals was to woo the Duffer Brothers away from Netflix, offering them the chance to make culture-defining movies for theaters in a way Netflix would’ve been reluctant to offer.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 28 Oct. 2025
Turner spoke with an arresting conviction, locating Canada’s fate in geography, history, and its defining quest to defy manifest destiny and political gravity.
—Dónal Gill, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
Murray’s blend of assertiveness and steadiness, of style and substance, has been a defining trait behind that start.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 28 Oct. 2025
The other new contender is the Colts’ Taylor, who just had one of those lights-out, history-defining kind of games on Sunday.
—Hannah Vanbiber, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2025
Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2025
Once viewed as a sideline to his film and comedy career, Martin’s music has instead become a defining pillar.
—Russ Penuell, Billboard, 29 Oct. 2025
Despite his short career, Dean became an everlasting cultural icon, defining 1950s youth culture, teen rebellion and countercultural movements for years to come.
—Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Asked to recall their favorite WWD memory, many designers cited their career-defining cover stories.
—Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
One of the new regime’s first major deals was to woo the Duffer Brothers away from Netflix, offering them the chance to make culture-defining movies for theaters in a way Netflix would’ve been reluctant to offer.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 28 Oct. 2025
Turner spoke with an arresting conviction, locating Canada’s fate in geography, history, and its defining quest to defy manifest destiny and political gravity.
—Dónal Gill, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
Murray’s blend of assertiveness and steadiness, of style and substance, has been a defining trait behind that start.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 28 Oct. 2025
The other new contender is the Colts’ Taylor, who just had one of those lights-out, history-defining kind of games on Sunday.
—Hannah Vanbiber, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defining
Verb
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Coupe buyers can choose a carbon-fiber steering wheel with shift lights—always a helpful touch—tracing its upper rim.—
Lawrence Ulrich,
Robb Report,
29 Oct. 2025
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Premiering on October 27, the series will include four hour-long episodes featuring interviews with astronauts and people working or living with the space program, tracing the journey of humans in space over the past 50 years.—
Elizabeth Howell,
Space.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Meller provided a concrete example of AI’s democratizing potential, describing how a scene that would have cost half his film’s budget and taken weeks with traditional effects was roughed out in five minutes using Kling AI.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Three Air Force employees are dead in what Ohio officials are describing as a double murder-suicide.—
Jennifer Rodriguez,
Kansas City Star,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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The changes were initiated by the Homeland Security Department, the current official said, without specifying which cities were impacted.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
28 Oct. 2025
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Without specifying the countries of origin, the Russian Defense Ministry said foreign fighter jets were scrambled to identify the Russian aircraft on parts of their flight, adding that the flight was in strict compliance with international airspace rules.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 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
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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
-
Martin had been known around the college campus for his bounding social energy.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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 4 Nov. 2025.
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