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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 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
-
Why the judge granted Brown’s release Gaitan wrote in the order Friday that Brown’s age at the time of the crime, combined with what the court described as significant rehabilitation while incarcerated, warranted a sentence reduction.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Historical accounts and later academic research describe him as enslaving hundreds of Native Americans, forcing Indigenous people to labor at the fort and punishing or pursuing those who attempted to flee.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Similar to what was depicted in Love Story, his former assistant RoseMarie Terenzio revealed that Kennedy took Bessette out on a fishing boat to pop the question.—
Shelby Wax,
Vogue,
27 Feb. 2026
-
At the far end of the open-plan ground floor is Sushi Nagi—an intimate counter restaurant with wall panels depicting pines, where chef Taira Tsuneyoshi skillfully presents an array of local treats, from uni sea urchin to Botan-ebi shrimps.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Some employees on Tuesday also felt frustrated that some observers are portraying Anthropic as heroic despite previous years of work with the Pentagon and major defense contractor Palantir with little scrutiny.—
Hadas Gold,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
-
After portraying Alabaster, down to his pearly-white surname, as the apotheosis of white male villainy, Cash deflates him by arguing, essentially, #NotAllMen.—
Malavika Kannan,
Vulture,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Limn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/limn. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
