describe

verb

di-ˈskrīb How to pronounce describe (audio)
Definition of describenext
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

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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?

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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 describe McLaren also described Banks as being highly agitated during the encounter. — Brian Maass, CBS News, 13 Nov. 2026 Sanon described Bergmann as someone obsessed with making money and who suffered from alcoholism and mental illness. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 13 Nov. 2026 Ferwerda described the partnership as an important seal of approval for the brand. — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 12 Nov. 2026 Chambers left in the fourth quarter with what a team source described as a stinger. — Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for describe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for describe
  1. depict
  2. tell
  3. characterize
  4. portray
  5. relate
  6. define
  7. illustrate
  8. recount
Verb
  • Some disease models depict amyloid accumulation as downstream of failures in the cellular machinery that processes and recycles proteins.
    — Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The small-boat crossings have been depicted as a crisis by politicians including Nigel Farage of the hard-right party Reform UK, and have been used as a rallying point by anti-immigration activists.
    — Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of depict
Verb
  • In the same way, Reitz in turn told Blumenthal to preserve records about his own inquiry.
    — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 13 Nov. 2026
  • Owen told grand jurors about the video Paul Murdaugh recorded in which Alex Murdaugh's voice could be heard at the scene, contradicting his denials.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Nov. 2026
Definition of tell
Verb
  • His four years in Denver were characterized by first-round losses and a cumulative 3-16 playoff record.
    — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Paoletta said the Democratic congressman was wrongly characterizing the scope of the original, century-old construction plan, citing correspondence from long-ago officials.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of characterize
Verb
  • O’Connor voices a talking chair, Rihanna portrays Dior’s lucky star, and Stanfield plays the Hollywood director.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 7 Nov. 2026
  • As the Grammy winner fantasizes about her boyfriend — played by Saturday Night Live‘s Ben Marshall — showing her off to his family over the holidays, Nixon portrays his mom.
    — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of portray
Verb
  • The researchers point out that the mat was dominated by compounds derived from photosynthetic pigments, while the extract’s porphyrins were overwhelmingly heme-related.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Flagstaff police said that a second man, whose identity hasn’t been released, also was found dead Monday in a drainage area, and that the death appeared to be weather-related, pending an official determination of cause and manner of death.
    — Christopher Weber, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of relate
Verb
  • Independent scrutiny remains PSI said David Turturean led the work, developing the research system, defining the problem and running the process.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Mintel’s 2026 Global Beauty and Personal Care Predictions name it a defining macro trend as consumers burn out on product overload.
    — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of define
Verb
  • These examples illustrate how cell-specific predictions could help researchers connect genetic variants with the cells and biological processes involved in disease.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2026
  • For roughly the past 10 of those 50 years, Agnes Lee has illustrated each item in the column, contributing over 2,000 drawings in that time.
    — New York Times, New York Times, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of illustrate
Verb
  • Much later, some moments returned to my mind, but to this day my own memories here are mixed with what has been recounted to me by my daughter and others.
    — Sonia Gandhi, Vanity Fair, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Speaking at Deadline’s Sound & Screen Film, composer Michael Abels referenced a scene in which a man recounts his alien encounter while going to the bathroom in minute detail.
    — Fred Topel, Deadline, 9 Nov. 2026
Definition of recount

Browse Nearby Words

descrambling
describe
described
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Cite this Entry

“Describe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/describe. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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