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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of define
And Christian Nationalism – the belief that the United States is defined by Christianity – has grown.
—
Fred L. Pincus, The Conversation, 21 Mar. 2025
Sample said constitutional scholars have differed on what exactly defines a constitutional crisis.
—Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 21 Mar. 2025
This tech — along with the incredible support system of my parents, brothers, management team and eventually, my wife — significantly decreased the mental burden of managing my diabetes and in turn, empowered me to not let diabetes define my capabilities.
—Nick Jonas, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
Under Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman, the Space Force has defined a highly effective strategy; corresponding operational concepts and technologies; and a new training regimen to ensure U.S. equities in space are secured.
—David A. Deptula, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for define
Fred L. Pincus, The Conversation, 21 Mar. 2025
Sample said constitutional scholars have differed on what exactly defines a constitutional crisis.
—Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 21 Mar. 2025
This tech — along with the incredible support system of my parents, brothers, management team and eventually, my wife — significantly decreased the mental burden of managing my diabetes and in turn, empowered me to not let diabetes define my capabilities.
—Nick Jonas, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
Under Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman, the Space Force has defined a highly effective strategy; corresponding operational concepts and technologies; and a new training regimen to ensure U.S. equities in space are secured.
—David A. Deptula, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for define
Recent Examples of Synonyms for define
Verb
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At one point, the woman’s call to 911 ended, but dispatchers were able to re-establish communications and traced the car to Buffalo Grove.—
Clifford Ward,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2025
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Even when transactions are obfuscated, pre- and post-mix analysis allows investigators to trace movements once funds interact with exchanges or identifiable wallets.—
Becca Bratcher,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The former Today host described how the aftermath of her diagnosis sparked a new wave of courage.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Mar. 2025
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In fact, if Subway Takes had an easily quantifiable characteristic, the best way to describe it would probably be unserious.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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While central New South Wales is now characterized by plains and plateaus, during the Miocene, the region was surrounded by lush rainforests, according to the study.—
Julianna Bragg,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2025
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Cold Creek was planted in the 1970s and exists as one of the state’s oldest vineyards; its fruit is characterized by ripe fruit intensity which the winery balances by picking the grapes over a four week period to showcase varying sweetness levels for a complex palate in flavor and structure.—
Jillian Dara,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Rader acknowledged that not every child younger than 5 is eligible for the measles vaccine, and his study didn’t specify the exact ages of the children younger than 5 who were unvaccinated.—
Shiv Sudhakar,
NBC news,
27 Mar. 2025
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The agency specified that the event will occur before sunrise, and the times provided are when the sun rises.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The process and eligibility criteria are outlined on their website.—
Meredith Kile,
People.com,
21 Mar. 2025
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Indonesia’s first-ever Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, has outlined an ambitious blueprint for the nation’s cultural growth, with special emphasis on developing the country’s rapidly expanding film industry.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Telling a 22-year-old to stop posting online altogether probably won’t get you far, but encouraging them to limit who can see their information is a reasonable compromise.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
23 Mar. 2025
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Trump has also withdrawn from the voluntary Paris Agreement that tries to limit temperature increases to 3.5 degrees Fahrenheit by mid century.—
Ken Silverstein,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Good American Family, released on March 19, stars Ellen Pompeo and Mark Duplass as Kristine and Michael Barnett, while 27-year-old Imogen Faith Reid portrays Natalia.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
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Rather, this musical is structured as a series of vignettes and relies on colorful images, repetitive language and whimsical movement to portray a community of dogs at work and play.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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At most institutions, the promotion and tenure process is meticulously delineated, but the influences of the individual elements in the process are not well understood.—
Michael T. Nietzel,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
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The categories are delineated by color in terms of difficulty.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
10 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Define.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/define. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
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