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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for specifying
Verb
-
Cooperation will remain the defining test.—
Vaishali Nigam Sinha,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
In Hollywood, where perception is everything, that narrative risks defining him permanently.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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And that’s without mentioning beloved neighborhood spots like Uchi Hackney, or Jin Kichi in Hampstead, or Temaki Brixton (even if the latter is making the move to Mayfair later this year).—
Liam Hess,
Vogue,
29 Jan. 2026
-
And that’s not even mentioning the Eastern Conference sharks — Atlanta, Miami, Detroit, New York, Toronto — circling the waters.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The settlement agreement, lodged in Los Angeles federal court, says the DOJ will no longer seek access to minors’ most sensitive unmodified medical records at CHLA — including mental health treatment notes, prescribing information and other personal details related to gender-affirming care.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
26 Jan. 2026
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Doctors started prescribing other opioids for postpartum pain, such as hydromorphone and oxycodone, whose metabolic pathways are more predictable and less subject to genetic variations.—
Ben Taub,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The spokesperson declined to provide any further information, citing an ongoing matter.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Republican ends Minnesota governor bid over immigration enforcement Chris Madel, a Republican, ended his campaign for Minnesota governor after less than two months, citing frustration with the party and the way federal officials have carried out immigration operations in the state.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
28 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 investment bank has a buy rating on Ralph Lauren with a $425 price target, indicating a potential 20% gain from Friday’s close.—
Davis Giangiulio,Christopher Hayes,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
-
One commercial building — without any signage indicating hospice services were located inside — received state licenses for 112 hospices.—
William La Jeunesse,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The expert is also a proponent of boosting fiber intake, noting that the daily goal for adults is between 25 and 35 grams per day.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Teddy Collins, with the Colorado State Shooting Association, says the law is unconstitutional, noting the guns are initially seized without the owner being able to defend themselves.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The essays have kept pace year after year, quoting the same people over and over, even as nothing of note occurred.—
Eve Fairbanks,
The Dial,
27 Jan. 2026
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The Bible-quoting videos that ICE is using to recruit agents have a certain logic behind them.—
Peter Wehner,
The Atlantic,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Specifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specifying. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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