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
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
Bardot's animal rights foundation announced her death in a statement to news agency Agence France-Presse on Sunday, without specifying the time or place of death.
—Elizabeth Blair, NPR, 28 Dec. 2025
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
The changes were initiated by the Homeland Security Department, the current official said, without specifying which cities were impacted.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
However, the Bose EQ only has three bands for tweaking bass, mid, and treble frequencies without specifying exactly what those frequencies are.
—PC Magazine, 25 Oct. 2025
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
Bardot's animal rights foundation announced her death in a statement to news agency Agence France-Presse on Sunday, without specifying the time or place of death.
—Elizabeth Blair, NPR, 28 Dec. 2025
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
The changes were initiated by the Homeland Security Department, the current official said, without specifying which cities were impacted.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
However, the Bose EQ only has three bands for tweaking bass, mid, and treble frequencies without specifying exactly what those frequencies are.
—PC Magazine, 25 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for specifying
Verb
-
Longbow believes weight has become the defining problem across the car industry.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Many who lost their homes — including generations of Black locals who gave the mountain town a defining part of its identity for decades — remain displaced.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Mikie Sherrill, the successful Democratic candidate for governor of New Jersey, made freezing electric rates a centerpiece of her victorious campaign, and got huge applause in mentioning the issue in her victory speech.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The magazine writes that Cincinnati has one of the most exciting culinary scenes in the region, as well, mentioning our beloved chili.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Nonetheless, doctors kept prescribing menopausal hormones as preventive medicine.—
Patricia Bencivenga,
STAT,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Almost four years of prescribing her lover psychiatric drugs will cost a Miami psychiatrist $10,000, part of her punishment from the Florida Board of Medicine.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
According to Fox 5, citing a flight expert, the unusual incident may not have been the result of a hard landing, but a possible malfunction in the aircraft’s automatic braking system.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
8 Jan. 2026
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Assembly budget advisor Jason Sisney said the state government was in better financial straits than anticipated, citing data from the State Controller’s Office.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Or noticing that your hands feel inexplicably stiff and swollen, making simple tasks like opening a jar or even typing feel unusually difficult.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
5 Jan. 2026
-
The second witness went inside for safety, then re-emerged, noticing the brothers were fighting, court records state.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The interdisciplinary approach brought the duke’s life and death to a stunning clarity — indicating how analyses can shed new light on age-old mysteries, even murders.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Three had New England winning by one score while three had Tampa Bay winning by one score, indicating that contest may be one of the most exciting of Week 10.—
Jacob Camenker,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Citizens Utility Board expressed outrage at the request, noting the increase would push the utility's total rate increases to more than $1 billion in less than a decade.—
CBS Chicago Team,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Deputies found Carter deceased on the scene, noting that no foul play was suspected.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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While speaking, Mamdani went into the archives of Indian history, quoting its first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
-
His victory speech was bold and defiant, even beginning by quoting Eugene Debs, a committed socialist who created the Socialist Party of America.—
Domenico Montanaro,
NPR,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Specifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specifying. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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