1
as in to trace
to draw or make apparent the outline of
the glass skyscraper's sleek silhouette was strikingly defined by the setting sun to its west
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2
3
as in to characterize
to point out the chief quality or qualities of an individual or group
a woman who is defined by her unswerving loyalty to her friends
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4
as in to specify
to give the rules about (something) clearly and exactly
let me define the task so that there is no doubt in your minds about what needs to be done
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of define
He’ll ultimately be defined, though, by his ability to continue to wait for plays to develop and stay cerebral as the speed of the level around him ramps up.
—
Scott Wheeler, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025
Inarguably, neither his presidency nor his total service to the American people should be defined exclusively as an old man allowing personal objectives and defensiveness to overtake everything.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 19 Jan. 2025
People with pre-clinical obesity would be defined as those who carry excess weight but do not yet exhibit the chronic health conditions typically associated with it.
—Toria Sheffield, People.com, 19 Jan. 2025
Certainly, Joe Biden has been out there trying to define his own legacy.
—ABC News, 19 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for define 
Scott Wheeler, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025
Inarguably, neither his presidency nor his total service to the American people should be defined exclusively as an old man allowing personal objectives and defensiveness to overtake everything.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 19 Jan. 2025
People with pre-clinical obesity would be defined as those who carry excess weight but do not yet exhibit the chronic health conditions typically associated with it.
—Toria Sheffield, People.com, 19 Jan. 2025
Certainly, Joe Biden has been out there trying to define his own legacy.
—ABC News, 19 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for define
Recent Examples of Synonyms for define
Verb
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During the investigation, nearly 3,000 kilos of cocaine, valued at more than $90 million, was traced back to the organization.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
19 Jan. 2025
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The club is one of the oldest in Fort Worth, with roots tracing back to the 1910s.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The way Gottlieb describes it, quite luxury in fashion involves using simple colors in high-end fabrics.—
Kristine Gill,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Jan. 2025
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The suit also detailed other racially motivated incidents including an October 2020 video class meeting overtaken by white students who used racial slurs to describe their Black classmates.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacramento Bee,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Then came the gravity-defying blow dry, characterized by swinging ends and reflective shine.—
Morgan Fargo,
Vogue,
27 Jan. 2025
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Read More: What Happened the Last Time Trump Withdrew From the Paris Agreement Trump also made a move to curtail offshore wind development, which the blueprint characterized as part of an agenda that would close off large sections of the ocean to commercial activity.—
Nik Popli,
TIME,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The city’s current law only specifies dog, cat or rabbit.—
Luke Harold,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Jan. 2025
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Rogerson and Barden said the insurance company deemed the truck too far gone and paid out a claim, but the pair did not specify the amount.—
Graeme Taskerud,
The Denver Post,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Stockpiling mifepristone would help to guard against an effort outlined in Project 2025, the conservative governing plan developed by the Heritage Foundation with assistance from many officials connected to Trump’s first term.—
Katy Golvala,
Hartford Courant,
19 Jan. 2025
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According to etiquette guidelines outlined in Newsweek, keeping feet out of the aisle and being mindful of others' movement is a basic expectation when flying.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
19 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Tendonitis has limited him to a bench role with a strict minutes restriction and periodic rest games.—
Brian Sampson,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
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In addition, prosecutors allude, financial fraud is not a criminal act limited to younger people.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Chalamet recently portrayed Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, the biopic directed by James Mangold, and performed all of his own vocals in the film.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
19 Jan. 2025
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Both films are about the preposterous beauty standards foisted upon women in our modern culture, yet both films seem determined to make these same women suffer, while portraying men as mostly bumbling buffoons whose chief infractions are wandering eyes.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The solution is to delineate roles and hire for specialized skills.—
Peter Sanchez,
Forbes,
7 Jan. 2025
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Opening with a Teddy Pendergrass sample and treating him like a combo of the Harvey Weinstein and the Rachel Dolezal of rap, Kendrick delineated, revoking Drake’s membership.—
Rob Marriott,
VIBE.com,
30 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Define.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/define. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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