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
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
Sandra Carey, who lives in Amado just south of Tucson and sets up her produce stand at the market every weekend, described the area as friendly and tight-knit.
—
Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 15 Feb. 2026
Indigenous Tribes, meteorologists and even Olympians have a host of words for describing snow.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 15 Feb. 2026
With preemptive apologies to Charles Dickens, 2026 could be described as the best of times, and the worst of times, for commercial airlines.
—Dallas Morning News, 15 Feb. 2026
Despite her concerns, Gillmor described Super Bowl week as a success for Santa Clara.
—Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for describe
Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 15 Feb. 2026
Indigenous Tribes, meteorologists and even Olympians have a host of words for describing snow.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 15 Feb. 2026
With preemptive apologies to Charles Dickens, 2026 could be described as the best of times, and the worst of times, for commercial airlines.
—Dallas Morning News, 15 Feb. 2026
Despite her concerns, Gillmor described Super Bowl week as a success for Santa Clara.
—Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for describe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for describe
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
But one person familiar with the decisions told Semafor that at least one executive from a company described by the survey had reached out to multiple outlets asking for the pieces to be taken down, arguing that the survey data was faulty and biased.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Both countries will be having their second round of talks on Tuesday in Geneva, Tehran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi told the BBC, adding that the Iran is ready to discuss restricting its nuclear program for lighter sanctions and economic benefits for both sides.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Critics including Sacramento State students have at times characterized Wood as focused too closely on university athletics at the expense of academics, while Wood has repeatedly touted FBS promotion as a worthwhile investment.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The affordability crisis characterized by rising rents, stagnant wages and a shortage of affordable housing is driving instability, homelessness and longer commutes.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Breeds portrays a Hollywood performer whose career struggles prompt a return to her Australian island home, where unresolved family conflicts stemming from a romantic entanglement await her.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Jackson and his supporters sought to portray him as King’s natural successor in the civil rights arena.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Officials from the Baja California Attorney General’s Office said that the vast majority of homicides in the state are related in some way to illicit activities, such as drug dealing.—
Alexandra Mendoza,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
-
When Santa Clara voters approved Levi’s Stadium in 2010, the ballot initiative included taxpayer protections that prevented the city from dipping into its general fund for stadium or event-related expenses.—
Ethan Varian,
Mercury News,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
What makes the current moment so striking is that the drift now appears to be reversing, cautiously and without the overexuberance that defined the post-WTO era.—
Dewardric L. McNeal,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Yet the defining challenges of our era do not respect borders.—
Alan H.H. Fleischmann,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Tulsky discusses Native Americans, Quindaro, meatpacking plants, Carrie Nation and events throughout the 20th century — all to illustrate how corruption not only developed but thrived in Kansas City, Kansas.—
Dan Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Berrios said Rinaldi taught her to go from drawing and illustrating comic books to objects, people and landscapes.—
Janice Neumann,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Dallas Fed President Lorie Logan, who is also a Fed voter this year, recounted in a 2024 speech a series of anecdotes of AI enhancing productivity for businesses across industries.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The immigration officer’s testimony recounting the moments before the shooting differed significantly from that of the defendants and three eyewitnesses.—
Hannah Schoenbaum,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Describe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/describe. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
