Synonyms of describe

describe

verb

di-ˈskrīb 

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

• depict
• portray
• characterize
• illustrate
• define
• render
• paint
• summarize
• set out
• recount
• delineate
• represent
• tell
• outline
• picture
• relate
• sketch
• draw
• demonstrate
• image
• suggest
• show
• narrate
• limn
• display
• report
• qualify
• recite
• exhibit
• label
• trace
• hint
• rehearse
• redescribe
• sum up
• draft
• touch off
• vignette
• silhouette
• reimage

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• distort
• misrepresent
• falsify
• color
• twist
• misstate
• pervert
• warp
• misdescribe
• garble

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

• tell
• relate
• recount
• narrate
• chronicle
• report
• set forth
• depict
• detail
• recite
• chart
• rehearse
• voice
• state
• reveal
• express
• disclose
• utter
• enumerate
• divulge
• itemize
• deliver
• give
• expose
• particularize
• delineate
• render
• reel off
• bare
• sketch
• let on (about)

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

• characterize
• define
• portray
• depict
• represent
• identify
• character
• classify
• categorize
• indicate
• specify
• type
• pigeonhole
• distinguish
• mark
• name
• individualize
• particularize
• stamp
• color

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of describe

His inability to account for an experience transforms into an occasion to describe it more precisely. — Zain Khalid, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026

That is a central bank, not a headline writer, describing the exposure. — Khalifa Aldhaheri, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026

At least that’s how his head coach described the second-year defensive lineman. — Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026

Officials from the Justice Department, Commerce Department and FBI described the case as a national security enforcement action. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026