1
as in to depict
to give a representation or account of in words
he tried to describe the dream he had last night as accurately as he could
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to tell
to give an oral or written account of in some detail
a biography of Washington that describes the decisive Battle of Yorktown at great length
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to characterize
to point out the chief quality or qualities of an individual or group
how would you describe the Inupiat people you encountered in Alaska?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of describe
Hundreds of people battled police in what witnesses described as medieval warfare that left 140 officers injured.
—
Bart Jansen, USA Today, 22 Feb. 2026
Gymnast Simone Biles has used similar words in describing the dangers of forgetting that athletes are people too—individuals who experience the same pressure, anxieties, and pain from hurtful remarks and uninformed criticism as anyone else.
—Alice Park, Time, 22 Feb. 2026
His backers and critics alike describe him as someone who advocates relentlessly for his bills.
—ABC News, 22 Feb. 2026
How would others describe your look?
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 22 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for describe
Bart Jansen, USA Today, 22 Feb. 2026
Gymnast Simone Biles has used similar words in describing the dangers of forgetting that athletes are people too—individuals who experience the same pressure, anxieties, and pain from hurtful remarks and uninformed criticism as anyone else.
—Alice Park, Time, 22 Feb. 2026
His backers and critics alike describe him as someone who advocates relentlessly for his bills.
—ABC News, 22 Feb. 2026
How would others describe your look?
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 22 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for describe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for describe
Verb
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This was an adaptation of the 1906 novel about the meatpacking industry by Upton Sinclair; famously, Lookingglass actors hung by their heels, depicting the draining carcasses of the Chicago Stockyards.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
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Surveillance footage shown at the trial depicted Santos brutally beating the sleeping victims with a large metal bar over the course of half an hour.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Manuelito is worried that Chee will flip out if Leaphorn doesn't soon tell him his plans to exit the Navajo Tribal Police and put her in charge.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Feb. 2026
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But a resort spokesperson told South Tahoe Now that one incident involved the death of a 33-year-old man while skiing on an intermediate trail, and another was a medical emergency involving a 58-year-old man.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The mission requires the same dedication, urgency, and innovative spirit that characterized our nation’s greatest scientific achievements.—
David Szondy
February 21,
New Atlas,
21 Feb. 2026
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Jurors in a landmark social media case that seeks to hold tech companies responsible for harms to children got their first glimpse into what will be a lengthy trial characterized by dueling narratives from the plaintiffs and the two remaining defendants, Meta and YouTube.—
Barbara Ortutay,
Fortune,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Paintings of the Chinese imperial court portray chows luxuriating in the role of companion dogs.—
Andrew Norman Wilson,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
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Based on reconstructed transcripts of Gein’s November 1957 confessions, the two-part film brings the interrogation to life using generative AI alongside a performance from an actor portraying the detective who led the case.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In 2024 William arrived at the event solo as his wife was recovering from abdominal surgery, which was later revealed to be cancer-related.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
22 Feb. 2026
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Police believe the shooting was gang-related.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy approached bags with the same consideration that defined the rest of her wardrobe.—
Julia Rabinowitsch,
Vogue,
20 Feb. 2026
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While emotional awareness is a strength, kids also need guidance so feelings and diagnoses inform them, not define them.—
Beth Ann Mayer,
Parents,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The inflation Sarkisian described is most powerfully illustrated through head coaching salaries.—
David Eckert,
Austin American Statesman,
24 Feb. 2026
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That's where the rate has consistently sat in recent weeks, illustrating the stability in the mortgage rate environment currently.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Since December, at least 30 have been repatriated after leaving the conflict, with many recounting harsh battlefield conditions.—
Emmanuel Igunza,
NPR,
21 Feb. 2026
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While that’s technically true, many of the 13,000-plus five-star shoppers have recounted similar success.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Describe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/describe. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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