Synonyms of describes

describes

verb

present tense third-person singular of describe

1

as in depicts

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

• depicts
• portrays
• characterizes
• illustrates
• renders
• paints
• recounts
• defines
• summarizes
• delineates
• outlines
• represents
• sets out
• relates
• tells
• draws
• demonstrates
• shows
• suggests
• narrates
• limns
• pictures
• sketches
• images
• displays
• recites
• reports
• qualifies
• exhibits
• traces
• hints
• labels
• sums up
• rehearses
• redescribes
• vignettes
• touches off
• drafts
• silhouettes
• reimages

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• misrepresents
• distorts
• falsifies
• misstates
• colors
• warps
• twists
• perverts
• misdescribes
• garbles

2

as in tells

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

• tells
• recounts
• relates
• narrates
• chronicles
• reports
• depicts
• recites
• details
• sets forth
• charts
• reveals
• states
• discloses
• rehearses
• expresses
• voices
• enumerates
• utters
• gives
• exposes
• delivers
• delineates
• itemizes
• divulges
• particularizes
• renders
• reels off
• sketches
• bares
• lets on (about)

3

as in characterizes

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

• characterizes
• portrays
• defines
• depicts
• represents
• identifies
• characters
• classifies
• indicates
• types
• categorizes
• specifies
• distinguishes
• pigeonholes
• marks
• individualizes
• colors
• particularizes
• stamps
• names

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of describes

The Marine Corps describes it as a highly mobile and rapidly deployable system intended for sea denial and littoral protection. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026

Truong describes ground networks as high capacity where people cluster, satellites as wide-area coverage, and the stratospheric layer as a bridge for places that are hard or expensive to serve. — New Atlas, 3 Oct. 2026

The picture is much different when Code Pink describes China, where the group has taken multiple field trips. — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2026

The 724-page report describes a deluge of chaos and poor communication that made evacuations, rescues and firefighting more challenging amid conditions that were already exceptionally dangerous and volatile. — Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

The closing text describes the search for the Unabomber as the longest and most expensive manhunt in FBI history. — Jane Lacroix, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2026

The book describes trips to the archive, and then off into the ruins of the asylum, which were crumbling and also being turned into condominiums. — Robert Sullivan, Vogue, 26 Sep. 2026

Delevingne, who plays Peter’s fellow promoter, became actual friends with Firstman at parties in LA and describes him as her spirit animal. — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 25 Sep. 2026

Its website describes virtual events, group chats and online discussions for members who live in smaller communities, prefer remote participation or cannot easily attend local activities. — Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026