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
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Recent Examples of specify
Officials did not specify if Pretti brandished the gun.
—
Michael Biesecker, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2026
Bovino did not specify whether a weapon was brandished at the time that his agents say their lives were in danger.
—Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 24 Jan. 2026
Officials did not specify if Pretti brandished the gun.
—Michael Biesecker, Twin Cities, 24 Jan. 2026
That car had been specified and loved for its first eight years by fashion magnate Ralph Lauren, and was being offered after 22 years with its second owner with still just 5,400 miles on the odometer.
—New Atlas, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for specify
Michael Biesecker, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2026
Bovino did not specify whether a weapon was brandished at the time that his agents say their lives were in danger.
—Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 24 Jan. 2026
Officials did not specify if Pretti brandished the gun.
—Michael Biesecker, Twin Cities, 24 Jan. 2026
That car had been specified and loved for its first eight years by fashion magnate Ralph Lauren, and was being offered after 22 years with its second owner with still just 5,400 miles on the odometer.
—New Atlas, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for specify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for specify
Verb
-
Freelancer's dogfighting represented a move away from the joystick revolution that had defined the space in the 90s, instead relying on a simplified flight model where the spacecraft followed the movement of the mouse.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
31 Jan. 2026
-
There’s other things behind it, but this is defining, right?—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Hopefully there will be new quests also, though this isn’t mentioned anywhere.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Paul and Garbarino's letters did not mention Pretti or Good.—
Scott MacFarlane,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In 2010, Capriati was treated for an accidental drug overdose of medication prescribed by her personal physician.—
Latoya Gayle,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
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Finasteride, flutamide and dutasteride could also be prescribed by your dermatologist, per AAD.—
Caroline C. Boyle,
USA Today,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Some figures indicated that iPhone users were still avoiding upgrading despite this risk, citing multiple bugs and the controversial Liquid Glass as a reason for staying on an insecure operating system version.—
Kate O'Flaherty,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Officials cited ongoing preparation and verification work.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But after COLAs were paid for a couple of years, someone noticed the formula was wrong.—
Tom Margenau,
Dallas Morning News,
1 Feb. 2026
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Instead of waiting for their behavior to reach crisis mode, parents learn to notice patterns early, stay calm, and guide them through the turbulence of growing up.—
Dorian Johnson,
Parents,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The complaint indicates the Federal Bureau of Investigation believes Le fled to Vietnam to avoid consequences in the United States after the shooting.—
Sierra van der Brug,
Oc Register,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Some figures indicated that iPhone users were still avoiding upgrading despite this risk, citing multiple bugs and the controversial Liquid Glass as a reason for staying on an insecure operating system version.—
Kate O'Flaherty,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The results noted a significant increase in risk of major cardiovascular events, including a 29% higher likelihood of heart attack, 20% higher risk of stroke and twice the chances of cardiovascular death.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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One law enforcement agent who reviewed the footage for CNN noted that just seeing a weapon doesn’t warrant shooting.—
Yahya Abou-Ghazala,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Late last year, Lovato quoted the lyrics to one of her iconic songs in the caption of an Instagram post.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
30 Jan. 2026
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The statement offered no details, though Iranian state media quoted Araghchi as saying third-party mediators had been in touch.—
Jon Gambrell,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Specify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specify. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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