1
as in to define
to give the rules about (something) clearly and exactly
the document specifies precisely how you may use the information it contains
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to mention
to make reference to or speak about briefly but specifically
police reports didn't specify the model of car the robbers were driving
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 specify
The comic did not specify what type of security personnel had warned her.
—
Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2025
Wu did not specify what potential legal action against the federal law enforcement may look like Sunday.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
The plans specify selling date, share price and amount.
—Nick Wells,lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2025
The Prosecutor's Office released a statement specifying that her vehicle was also found at the hotel.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for specify
Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2025
Wu did not specify what potential legal action against the federal law enforcement may look like Sunday.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
The plans specify selling date, share price and amount.
—Nick Wells,lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2025
The Prosecutor's Office released a statement specifying that her vehicle was also found at the hotel.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for specify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for specify
Verb
-
Among them were countless era-defining releases that are still among the best movies ever made—of any genre—from the haunting Rebecca to the gripping Rear Window, and the ravishing Vertigo to the hair-raising Psycho.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Internally, the current workspace contained not only the visible text documents but also any custom words the user added to the dictionary and any additional tForth words defined in memory.—
Cameron Kaiser,
ArsTechnica,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As with any career as long as his, there have been moments when perhaps his aesthetic wasn’t so aligned with where fashion was going, but mention that and Roversi will gently put it to one side.—
Mark Holgate,
Vogue,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Bates gets fired up when productions shot outside Los Angeles are mentioned.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In 2023, more than 7 in 10 adults in the US who were prescribed stimulant ADHD medications had problems filling their prescriptions because the medications were unavailable, according to 2024 data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.—
Dr. Jill Grimes,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Court documents report that the murder was related to Lee’s sleeping medication, which she was prescribed when her husband’s health declined, RNZ reported.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Others cite the college spitting incident that followed two days later in the Florida-South Florida game as an example of how influential the NFL can be, suggesting that a suspension long enough to end spitting once and for all could benefit sportsmanship at all levels.—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The Detroit Tigers cite Major League Baseball’s policy banning unpermitted ticket sales.—
Arpan Lobo,
Freep.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Leaders need to practice empathy by noticing when silence lingers in a meeting, when a camera remains off, or when fatigue from time zones takes its toll.—
Matthew C. Meade,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Later, while sifting through their collections, researchers noticed three unfamiliar-looking fish, the 2025 study said.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
And many Democrats, who polls indicate still believe in Russiagate in significant numbers, likely clapped.—
Jeremy Lott,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Remember that cognitive difficulty often signals growth, just as physical soreness after exercise indicates muscle development.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Yet most failed to note the hospital’s long-standing use as a base for Hamas operations.—
Sean Durns,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Meltzer noted that those close to the matter believe the deal is close to being finalized, though WWE has not confirmed this information.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Brundle's live statement on Sky F1 was quoted by Planet F1.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The prices of many commodities, such as oil, are quoted in dollars.—
Hersh Shefrin,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Specify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specify. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share