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
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Recent Examples of specifying
Apart from specifying that the number of wolves had to exceed the state’s endangerment cutoff, legislators never defined what such a sustainable level might be.
—
Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 16 Feb. 2026
Entire chapters specifying how nuclear material should be secured and what sorts of physical barriers should be built to protect it have been reduced to bullet points.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 28 Jan. 2026
Include your name, phone number and email address specifying February Writing Workshop.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Jan. 2026
Putting the murder shortlist in one person’s hands, rather than letting the shields do the work of specifying who can be killed off, is a major change that gives the Secret Traitor a ton of power without a ton of explanation for their thinking.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Jan. 2026
The guidelines include changes to alcohol recommendations, no longer specifying appropriate limits for men and women.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Lygizos isn’t specifying when in 2026 the restaurant will open.
—Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2026
In February, Sudan’s Foreign Minister Ali Youssef had said that his country would allow Russia to build a naval base, without specifying the terms of the deal.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
Even if tariff revenue were allocated to fund the checks, Congress would still need to approve legislation specifying the payments, define eligibility and appropriate funds, The Guardian reported.
—Evan Moore
november 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Nov. 2025
Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 16 Feb. 2026
Entire chapters specifying how nuclear material should be secured and what sorts of physical barriers should be built to protect it have been reduced to bullet points.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 28 Jan. 2026
Include your name, phone number and email address specifying February Writing Workshop.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Jan. 2026
Putting the murder shortlist in one person’s hands, rather than letting the shields do the work of specifying who can be killed off, is a major change that gives the Secret Traitor a ton of power without a ton of explanation for their thinking.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Jan. 2026
The guidelines include changes to alcohol recommendations, no longer specifying appropriate limits for men and women.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Lygizos isn’t specifying when in 2026 the restaurant will open.
—Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2026
In February, Sudan’s Foreign Minister Ali Youssef had said that his country would allow Russia to build a naval base, without specifying the terms of the deal.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
Even if tariff revenue were allocated to fund the checks, Congress would still need to approve legislation specifying the payments, define eligibility and appropriate funds, The Guardian reported.
—Evan Moore
november 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for specifying
Verb
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The elevated take on the more conservative looks defining the season was inspired by 16th century Persian miniature paintings.—
Anika Reed,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
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Six busloads of students traveled to witness a defining victory at Xavier in 1983.—
Mario DiLoreto,
Hartford Courant,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In lieu of mentioning Elvis’ off-stage reality, Luhrmann deepens a song’s effect by cutting to personal photographs that are a little out of context.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Focusing on Mental Health Everything changed when a 24-year-old Simone Biles withdrew from the finals during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, mentioning her mental health struggles.—
Kristy Alpert,
Outside,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But in just the past two years, two different telehealth practices have been sanctioned for inappropriately prescribing stimulants.—
Yasmin Tayag,
The Atlantic,
8 Feb. 2026
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Duties include evaluating inmates’ mental health, creating treatment plans, prescribing medications and providing therapy.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Dozens of cellphone and body camera videos reviewed by CNN show that immigration agents are routinely threatening to arrest people who follow or film videos of them, sometimes specifically citing the statute.—
Isabelle Chapman,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
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Mayor Karen Bass joined calls for Wasserman’s resignation, citing his involvement in the Epstein-Maxwell scandal.—
Dakota Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Upon noticing a doorbell camera, the subject calmly seeks foliage from Guthrie’s porch area to try and obscure the lens.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Video footage shows the person approaching the front door, noticing the camera and trying to cover the lens with their hand.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Fire Rescue officials said the pedestrian was a level one trauma alert, indicating severe injuries.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2026
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Who said what The backcountry expedition set out Sunday morning, shortly after the Sierra Avalanche Center issued an avalanche watch for the area, indicating that large avalanches were likely in the following 24 to 48 hours.—
Peter Weber,
TheWeek,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Private preschools forced to close Holmes disputed the study’s conclusion that transitional kindergarten was contributing to private preschool closures, noting that could have been driven by declining birth rates, too.—
CalMatters,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
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Moderna has disputed that reasoning, noting that FDA rules and guidance do not actually require trials to use the most advanced or highest-dose vaccine as a comparator in clinical studies.—
Annika Kim Constantino,
CNBC,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Bull is based on their letters while never quoting them directly.—
Manuel Mendoza,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Feb. 2026
-
On the eve of the deadline, the Upper Colorado River Commission released a statement quoting Mitchell, its chair, as saying that the mountain states can't fill the gap left by drought heavy use in the Southwest.—
Brandon Loomis,
AZCentral.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Specifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specifying. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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