1
as in defining
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 mentioning
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 specifying
Calfee tandems are custom-built, with consumers specifying nearly all components, at an average price of $20k.
—
Mark Dent, HubSpot, 1 June 2026
The attacks took place near Jiyeh, about 12 miles south of the capital, Lebanon's National News Agency said, without specifying if there were casualties.
—Khaled Wassef, CBS News, 13 May 2026
In 2024, voters approved Proposition 130, requiring that the state direct $350 million to law enforcement, without specifying where the money should come from.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
The employees asked Döpfner to take a series of measures in response, including adding a disclaimer to all op-eds specifying that the author’s views do not represent those of Politico or staff.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Warsh’s filings list holdings in two funds that are valued at over $50 million, without specifying an upper limit.
—Matt Peterson, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2026
However, Microsoft’s partner portal website mysteriously said his account had been deactivated, without specifying why.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 8 Apr. 2026
Jones posted a farewell message to social media Tuesday evening without specifying his next move.
—Matt Young, Houston Chronicle, 7 Apr. 2026
OpenAI’s paper conspicuously avoids specifying a corporate tax rate, a diplomatic omission that suggests the company knows where the political land mines are buried.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
Mark Dent, HubSpot, 1 June 2026
The attacks took place near Jiyeh, about 12 miles south of the capital, Lebanon's National News Agency said, without specifying if there were casualties.
—Khaled Wassef, CBS News, 13 May 2026
In 2024, voters approved Proposition 130, requiring that the state direct $350 million to law enforcement, without specifying where the money should come from.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
The employees asked Döpfner to take a series of measures in response, including adding a disclaimer to all op-eds specifying that the author’s views do not represent those of Politico or staff.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Warsh’s filings list holdings in two funds that are valued at over $50 million, without specifying an upper limit.
—Matt Peterson, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2026
However, Microsoft’s partner portal website mysteriously said his account had been deactivated, without specifying why.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 8 Apr. 2026
Jones posted a farewell message to social media Tuesday evening without specifying his next move.
—Matt Young, Houston Chronicle, 7 Apr. 2026
OpenAI’s paper conspicuously avoids specifying a corporate tax rate, a diplomatic omission that suggests the company knows where the political land mines are buried.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for specifying
Verb
-
According to Mike, that freedom became one of the collection’s defining characteristics.—
Laura Jackson,
Vogue,
3 June 2026
-
An iconic style from the brand hailing from the fall 2016 runway, the Kiki has amassed a legion of celebrity fans who have embraced the silhouette’s defining platform, towering block heel and unique buckle design leaving oval cut outs.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Ohtani was back to a full starter’s workload for the first time since 2023, even mentioning fatigue in his postgame interview after his second start of the season, and before games was working to address his offensive struggles.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
There is no trace of Fröbe-Kapteyn ever mentioning this horrific event in her letters, nor anywhere else.—
Eliza Goodpasture,
ARTnews.com,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
But because so many factors remain unknown, prescribing a GLP-1 drug to someone living with migraine would be a premature decision.—
Sukhman Rekhi,
Verywell Health,
1 June 2026
-
Those norms translate into criteria that assess real-world outcomes, rather than prescribing technical processes that will be obsolete within months.—
Shlomit Wagman,
Fortune,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
LaPierre announced his resignation from the organization in January 2024, days before the start of the trial, citing health reasons, according to the NRA.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
-
Staff members were sent scrambling in December and January after UMKC said KCUR and Classical KC would have to move out, citing building safety concerns.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
According to the Irvine Police Department, Chen installed cameras in their family's home after noticing a change of flavor in his drink and feeling ill for weeks.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026
-
After applying to more than 3,000 jobs and internships over his time in school, the 23-year-old began noticing employers were no longer asking only for traditional computer science skills.—
Lisa Chambers,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Current pricing is indicating virtually no chance of cuts anytime through at least 2027.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
29 May 2026
-
An appeals court found that there was no evidence indicating Carroll personally secured the outside funding.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Additionally, the Department of the Interior is conducting site surveys, like geotechnical work, which is statutorily required, the White House said, noting that the surveys are standard practice to test the grounds and soil.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
-
But the idea that foreign influence is seeding a populist campaign against AI facilities is far-fetched, experts told Semafor last month, noting that Chinese media is instead likely exploiting existing US divisions over the tech.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Instead of simply quoting an original source without the full context of the surrounding information, the users can choose whether or not to follow the link and better understand the veracity of the author’s claim or statement.—
Jeremy Saks,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
26 May 2026
-
In her preface, Corey offers a note of apology for the topic at hand, quoting the author David Sinclair—who, in writing about the Spice Girls, observed that his subject would require him to defend the group’s honor and his own.—
Megan Garber,
The Atlantic,
24 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Specifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specifying. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
