as in to describe
to give a representation or account of in words
he limned the scene in the courtroom so perfectly I could practically see it
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Recent Examples of limn
Haring limned his oval head, the topknot above a receding hairline, a pair of prominent ears and eyes staring out from behind black-rimmed eyeglasses.
—
Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2023
The soft sunlight illuminates sturdy wood pews, limning swaying worshipers in white gold.
—Aj Willingham, CNN, 15 Apr. 2023
Last Summer in the City seems to limn his own life: Like Calligarich, the novel’s protagonist, Leo Gazarra, leaves Milan for Rome and a writing job, and when that job disappears, spends his summer days at the beach and his nights drifting from party to party, woman to woman.
—Vogue, 29 May 2021
Nonetheless, Democrats want to be perceived as favoring virtually universal suffrage, and to limn their conservative and Republican opposition as favoring vote suppression.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 3 Nov. 2020
See All Example Sentences for limn
Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2023
The soft sunlight illuminates sturdy wood pews, limning swaying worshipers in white gold.
—Aj Willingham, CNN, 15 Apr. 2023
Last Summer in the City seems to limn his own life: Like Calligarich, the novel’s protagonist, Leo Gazarra, leaves Milan for Rome and a writing job, and when that job disappears, spends his summer days at the beach and his nights drifting from party to party, woman to woman.
—Vogue, 29 May 2021
Nonetheless, Democrats want to be perceived as favoring virtually universal suffrage, and to limn their conservative and Republican opposition as favoring vote suppression.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 3 Nov. 2020
See All Example Sentences for limn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for limn
Verb
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After he was arrested in August 2023, Wei was asked by FBI investigators to describe his actions involving the Chinese intelligence agent.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
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Words can't describe how much he's done for me and all the other players.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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One photo depicted two black matte alligator Hermès Birkins, which retail for around $100,000 resale.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
15 Jan. 2026
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The book's cover, which PEOPLE can exclusively reveal, features the iconic moment captured in Marilyn in White — but as a lenticular image, the photo actually shifts to depict the whimsical movement of Monroe's dress.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The leading lady, who portrayed the fictional first female president of the United States, won a Golden Globe for Best Actress — Television Series Drama.—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
21 Jan. 2026
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The perception of the business community about the impact of AI isn't as rosy as tech leaders portray.—
Steven Wolfe Pereira,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Limn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/limn. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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