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specify

verb

ˈspe-sə-ˌfī How to pronounce specify (audio)
Definition of specifynext
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

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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 preliminary prospectus does not yet specify the number of securities, offering price or ratio of ordinary shares to each depositary share. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026 YouTube didn’t specify how this will work behind the scenes, but Google did recently release an improved Gemini translation model. — Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2026 The police complaint did not specify Ye Khaung Kyaw’s exact role in the alleged misconduct during his tenure as executive director. — ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026 When leadership specifies what rigor looks like upfront, teams can stop trading quality for speed. — Nacho De Marco, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for specify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for specify
  1. define
  2. mention
  3. prescribe
  4. cite
  5. notice
  6. indicate
  7. note
  8. quote
Verb
  • The dispute over the route became one of the defining flash points of the conflict in Northern Ireland.
    — Amanda Ferguson Reuters, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The Libra Sun opposes Neptune across your private and daily-life zones, making vague stress, unfinished business, or hidden responsibilities harder to define.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of define
Verb
  • Cooper, for his part, acts all scared when Kat mentions visiting him and Gen in Fort Lauderdale.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2026
  • One of them mentioned that maybe, just possibly, all the laughter had upset a spirit in the house.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of mention
Verb
  • Some bottles of opioid painkillers in his home were prescribed to an associate, and other medications were found in vitamin bottles and envelopes, search warrants showed.
    — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Products like Creon, Zenpep, Pancreaze, Pertzye, Ultresa and Viokace are typically prescribed for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, a condition in which the body does not produce enough enzymes on its own.
    — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of prescribe
Verb
  • The letters cite stories on construction details related to the East Wing bunker, funding for the White House ballroom, munitions stockpiles impacted by the Iran war and sanctions against Russia.
    — Josh Feldman, NBC news, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Scott also argued that Republicans’ position on the general ballot is improving and that GOP voter enthusiasm for the election has increased 20% in the past two months, citing new polling from Peak Insights, the person said.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of cite
Verb
  • Before offering money, time, or support, notice whether the choice feels genuinely willing.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Eventually, before the set is over, Beck walks away, never having noticed his ex.
    — Josephine Reisman, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of notice
Verb
  • Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicated Monday that the chances of making speedy headway on forging a peace settlement were bleak after recent Ukrainian attacks, including during recent parliamentary elections in Russia.
    — HANNA ARHIROVA, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The simple website contains a page that names the seven defendants in Jane Doe’s suit and contains blank boxes that indicate that photos of them will be uploaded —and potentially pages for the men who are facing accusations.
    — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of indicate
Verb
  • During my most recent oil change, the service advisor noted that the oil pan gasket was beginning to show signs of seepage.
    — John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs And Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Also to be noted is the bombing of key targets and ground actions, if necessary.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of note
Verb
  • The star has dedicated himself with the fervor of a holy crusader to the notion that, to quote his ex-wife, we are not just entertained but reborn when the lights go down and our collective dreams show up onscreen.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Home Ministry official Makhzan Mahyuddin was quoted by national Bernama news agency as saying the returnees comprised 1,370 men, 79 women, 20 boys and seven girls, aged between eight and 60.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of quote

Browse Nearby Words

specifies
specify
specifying
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Cite this Entry

“Specify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specify. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

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