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
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Recent Examples of specify
Different building codes might specify which materials can be installed in and around a fireplace.
—
Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Mar. 2026
The inspection didn’t specify what kind of brush was used.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2026
Why not specify the draft year as 2026 or 2027?
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 8 Mar. 2026
He has since been disciplined, though Kirkley did not specify how.
—Quinn Clark, jsonline.com, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for specify
Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Mar. 2026
The inspection didn’t specify what kind of brush was used.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2026
Why not specify the draft year as 2026 or 2027?
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 8 Mar. 2026
He has since been disciplined, though Kirkley did not specify how.
—Quinn Clark, jsonline.com, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for specify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for specify
Verb
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Steyer has spent millions of his own money on ads defining himself and, in recent weeks, attacking Swalwell for missing congressional votes.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
13 Mar. 2026
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Burnout, distraction and cognitive fatigue are becoming defining challenges of the digital era.—
Elan Gepner-Dales,
Rolling Stone,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The president noted that past military conflicts have dogged his predecessors, mentioning former President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from Afghanistan and Jimmy Carter’s handling of the Iran hostage crisis.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
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His regular customers did not mention anything — not a surprise from clientele who know not to share classified information — but Esparza has been around long enough to sense that the Marines who were coming in to replace gear like sleeping bags and warm clothing were preparing to ship out.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Louisville's mayoral and Metro Council races will be nonpartisan for the first time in 2026 — a change prescribed in a 2024 state law Nemes sponsored as a Kentucky lawmaker.—
Killian Baarlaer,
Louisville Courier Journal,
6 Mar. 2026
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Part of that argument hinges on the idea that these medications are prescribed off-label when used for gender-affirming care, meaning the FDA hasn’t approved their use for this purpose.—
Theresa Gaffney,
STAT,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The force and frequency of Iranian missile launches will increase, and their range will become wider, state media cited the commander of the Revolutionary Guards Aerospace Force as saying on Monday.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
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Experts interviewed by The Associated Press, citing satellite image analysis, say the school was probably struck amid a quick succession of bombs dropped on the compound.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Trooper noticed signs of possible criminal activity during the stop and a K-9 unit from the Live Oak County Sheriff’s Office was called for further investigation, according to the release.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Mar. 2026
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The team’s heart and soul noticed.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Those numbers indicate very efficient light transfer into standard 50-micrometer multimode optical fibers.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Mar. 2026
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Authorities say video indicates Wolf opened fire without provocation.—
Matthew Ormseth,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Government officials noted the island’s drift away from Confucian values.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
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Some 80 oil and gas tankers a day typically traversed the Strait of Hormuz before the war, The New York Times noted.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Many of the Iranians quoted in this article spoke to CNN under the condition of anonymity, citing concerns for their safety.—
Kara Fox,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
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Kristen Beckstead, a CFP and vice president at First Horizon Advisors in Nashville, is quoted in AARP recommending that retirees consider holding 18 to 24 months of essential expenses in a liquid emergency fund.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Specify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specify. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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