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
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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
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
An Amazon Web Services (AWS) spokesperson said the disruption was ongoing, without specifying the exact location affected or any potential damage done.
—CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Access and collaborative agreements — and sometimes even land return agreements — come with requirements specifying what tribes can and cannot do with the land.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
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
An Amazon Web Services (AWS) spokesperson said the disruption was ongoing, without specifying the exact location affected or any potential damage done.
—CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Access and collaborative agreements — and sometimes even land return agreements — come with requirements specifying what tribes can and cannot do with the land.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for specifying
Verb
-
The slice in your hand has a city of origin, a specific oven, a defining cheese and usually a stubborn local who will tell you everyone else is doing it wrong.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
13 May 2026
-
Maika Monroe may have starred in multiple defining horror films of the last 10-plus years, from her breakout in It Follows to the recent box-office smash Longlegs, but no amount of scream-queen credits could prepare her for the gory terror of Victorian Psycho.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Google has announced all these new Android features while barely mentioning Android 17, which is slated to launch in June.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
12 May 2026
-
But there’s another cool water feature worth mentioning.—
David Caraccio
May 9,
Sacbee.com,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Nudging clinicians away from prescribing without investing in therapy infrastructure widens that gap.—
Jonathan Slater,
STAT,
13 May 2026
-
Justice Samuel Alito extended an earlier order by three more days, which means the rules for prescribing mifepristone online or by mail will remain in effect through at least Thursday.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Since then, a growing number of cities have opted to further regulate e-bikes, citing a growing number of incidents and safety concerns.—
Hannah Elsmore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2026
-
In the end, the commissioners voted to table the decision, citing liability concerns.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Regular practice is key to noticing benefits.—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
9 May 2026
-
At the same time, your confidence grows and people are noticing.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
The New Jersey depot opened in a small unbranded industrial facility in Carlstadt, with municipal records indicating that contractors added storage racks and refrigerators inside.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
15 May 2026
-
Officials have said the test taken aboard the ship was likely a false positive, and that the physician does not have antibodies to hantavirus, indicating he was never exposed to or ill with it.—
Rebecca Cohen,
NBC news,
15 May 2026
Verb
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La Mesa’s enforcement of reckless e-bike riding has been slim-to-none, Lothian said, noting that the police chief said the city has issued just 3 e-bike citations to date.—
Hannah Elsmore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2026
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Bastrop County detectives found evidence that Aviles had been dragged, strangled and assaulted, noting mud on her clothing and feet, bruising on her neck, chin and lip, and blood on her face and the exterior of her car.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, in the White House briefing room this week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio filled in for Karoline Leavitt, the press secretary now on maternity leave, quoting rap lyrics in response to questions about Iran.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
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First, my kid and her friends are still quoting that AI-garbage wrestling podcast that went unbelievably far off the rails.—
Jason Kirk,
New York Times,
5 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Specifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specifying. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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