as in vivid
producing a mental picture through clear and impressive description
the finely delineated characters of the novel will seem real to the reader
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in traced
to draw or make apparent the outline of
the man's roly-poly shape was softly delineated by the glow of the fire
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in described
to give a representation or account of in words
the story does a remarkable job of delineating the emotions that immigrants feel upon their arrival in a strange country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 delineated
Jack O'Connor, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
Characters are not strongly delineated in this version.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026
Precisely delineated with colored pencil, Sully’s pictures look simultaneously naive and urbanely sophisticated.
—Susan Tallman, The Atlantic, 2 Feb. 2026
Every chapter has four clearly delineated elements: The Myth, The Facts, The Logic and What To Do, as well as a helpful overview, Recommendation.
—Larry D. Urish, Oc Register, 30 Jan. 2026
Ideally, sapphires’ stars are thought best when clearly, geometrically delineated, unsullied by contaminant minerals or whorls within the molecular grain of the stone.
—Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Both create delineated characters quickly and add humor and drama to the production.
—Mary Damiano, Miami Herald, 2 Dec. 2025
In many ways Alpine Europe is delineated not by nationality but by geography and culture.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Sep. 2025
During the last round of labor negotiations with the NFLPA in 2020, the league pushed new language that more clearly delineated what gets shared in the event of a sale like this.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 10 June 2026
If the bike lane is sharply delineated with curbs, that will help a lot.
—Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 30 Apr. 2026
From 1875 to 1929 it was delineated by a simple circle outlined in chalk (hence the name), but today the circle is much more esteemed with presentation stands and roses planted in the shape of a horseshoe.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2026
The Act delineated dramatic changes regarding how radio airwaves would be regulated and established the precedent for how the communications industry would be governed in the United States.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Apr. 2026
To fix that, the actual operating rooms won’t have the red outline on the floor, and the operating area will likely instead be delineated with a lighter gray color.
—Emily Brindley, Dallas Morning News, 1 Apr. 2026
This man whose dual citizenship is delineated by the long striped line of Interstate 35?
—Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, 22 Mar. 2026
When parents interview a pediatrician in the prenatal period and issues about one’s practice are delineated, immunization schedules will likely be a point of discussion.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 31 Jan. 2026
Categories are clearly delineated, like with the separate hoodies and sweats area.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 19 Dec. 2025
Adjective
The owner hired security at all locations, delineated property lines and had employees update their emergency contact information.
—Jack O'Connor, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
Characters are not strongly delineated in this version.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026
Precisely delineated with colored pencil, Sully’s pictures look simultaneously naive and urbanely sophisticated.
—Susan Tallman, The Atlantic, 2 Feb. 2026
Every chapter has four clearly delineated elements: The Myth, The Facts, The Logic and What To Do, as well as a helpful overview, Recommendation.
—Larry D. Urish, Oc Register, 30 Jan. 2026
Ideally, sapphires’ stars are thought best when clearly, geometrically delineated, unsullied by contaminant minerals or whorls within the molecular grain of the stone.
—Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Both create delineated characters quickly and add humor and drama to the production.
—Mary Damiano, Miami Herald, 2 Dec. 2025
In many ways Alpine Europe is delineated not by nationality but by geography and culture.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Sep. 2025
During the last round of labor negotiations with the NFLPA in 2020, the league pushed new language that more clearly delineated what gets shared in the event of a sale like this.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
City centers across Europe and Asia were anchored for centuries by ancient seats of royalty and religion, and delineated by walls.
—Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 10 June 2026
If the bike lane is sharply delineated with curbs, that will help a lot.
—Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 30 Apr. 2026
From 1875 to 1929 it was delineated by a simple circle outlined in chalk (hence the name), but today the circle is much more esteemed with presentation stands and roses planted in the shape of a horseshoe.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2026
The Act delineated dramatic changes regarding how radio airwaves would be regulated and established the precedent for how the communications industry would be governed in the United States.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Apr. 2026
To fix that, the actual operating rooms won’t have the red outline on the floor, and the operating area will likely instead be delineated with a lighter gray color.
—Emily Brindley, Dallas Morning News, 1 Apr. 2026
This man whose dual citizenship is delineated by the long striped line of Interstate 35?
—Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, 22 Mar. 2026
When parents interview a pediatrician in the prenatal period and issues about one’s practice are delineated, immunization schedules will likely be a point of discussion.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 31 Jan. 2026
Categories are clearly delineated, like with the separate hoodies and sweats area.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 19 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for delineated
Adjective
-
Visit Fort Mackinac for costumed reenactments that bring the frontier military days to vivid life.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
13 June 2026
-
Northern Lights illuminate the night sky with vivid purple and green hues above a distant cityscape following a strong solar storm coinciding with the spring equinox in Fairbanks, Alaska, United States, on March 20, 2026.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Its earliest iteration can be traced back to the 1870s, when Scottish inventor John Boyd Dunlop—best known for patenting the pneumatic tire—made good on his familiarity with rubber to design a low-top canvas shoe with a vulcanized rubber sole.—
Eric Twardzik,
Robb Report,
15 June 2026
-
According to AccuWeather, the cluster of disturbed weather over Mexico can be traced in part to moisture associated with Cristina, which reached tropical storm strength in the eastern Pacific Ocean south of Central America.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Last May, after playing through pain in his right hand, a slumping Alvarez was sidelined with what the team described as a muscle strain.—
Stephen J. Nesbitt,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
Rondeau described her father as a devoted dad who took her to volleyball and softball practice, went camping with her and taught her about the outdoors.—
Nick Lunemann,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
The movie is written by Heartstopper creator, executive producer and graphic novelist Alice Oseman.—
Lily Brown,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
-
The rest of the multihyphenate artist’s look included gray wool trousers, a graphic T-shirt and a burgundy leather jacket with a significant foldover element.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
It will be defined by who constructs the systems that allow both to scale together—and who had the capital, the patience, and the mandate to start building before anyone else.—
Ken Silverstein,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
-
Boxy, Straight-Lined Furniture Sharp angles and rigid silhouettes once defined contemporary interiors, but designers are increasingly embracing softer forms.—
Angelika Pokovba,
Martha Stewart,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
That earlier photo had depicted Jackie Kennedy in the same situation, forced to care for her two children alone after her husband's assassination.—
Stefania Conrieri,
Vanity Fair,
13 June 2026
-
The slow dance came to a climax on June 9 — which is depicted in the far right panel — when skywatchers worldwide were treated to a dramatic planetary conjunction as Jupiter and Venus shone less than 2 degrees away from one another above the western horizon.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
13 June 2026
Adjective
-
Different genes for different cytokines, growth factors or other proteins could be swapped in to target specific diseases of the ocular surface, potentially extending the approach beyond corneal wounds to chronic inflammatory conditions.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
16 June 2026
-
Regrets are common enough after lives are lost — when the cost of conflict is staring you right in the face, dead-eyed and countless — and yet this specific contrition persists long before the ships crash, the arrows fly, and the dragons roar.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
The blazer featured two wide lapels outlined in a whip stitch and stacked pocket flaps on each side of body.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
15 June 2026
-
The ideals that are outlined in the Declaration of Independence are timeless.—
Faith Salie,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Delineated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delineated. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
