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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The shooter is described as a man in his 30s.—
Jasmine Mendez
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
-
Sergei Shoigu, Russia's former defense minister and now secretary of its Security Council, also rejected Zelenskyy’s claim, describing it as a scare tactic to attract more Western aid for Kyiv.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 May 2026
Verb
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Here's what to know about the real-life case and how accurately the film depicts it.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
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Ichiyō has already more than vindicated herself, appealing to the deepest and most humane of people’s emotions, depicting unflinchingly what lies true in their hearts.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Braun said Panish had sought to portray his client as hiding in the bushes near the crash site, but in reality, those bushes were vines and the 6-foot-4, 245-pound Erickson was easily seen.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
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Yet cultural stereotypes continue to portray White athletes as less athletic, less gifted and less deserving of elite status.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Limn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/limn. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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