1
as in traces
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
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2
as in describes
to mark the limits of
the river defines the town on the south
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in characterizes
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 specifies
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defines
Sometimes true reinvention requires letting go of assumptions about what defines potential, fairness or even leadership.
—
Prithvi Singh Shergill, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The research defines streaming audiences as anyone who watched at least one online video — free or paid — during the past month.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 Sep. 2025
The choice before the nation is whether to remain locked in this deadly gun violence paradox, where overall crime falls even as extraordinary firearm tragedy defines our public life, or to finally act on what most Americans already believe.
—John J. Donohue, Time, 15 Sep. 2025
The contrasts are part of what defines Sarah LaPonte and chef Nik Forsberg’s daring Nordic-ish restaurant, where anyone can find their niche.
—The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
From grand 19th-century apartments with soaring ceilings to former industrial lofts transformed into artistic havens, Paris’s Airbnb scene reflects the same blend of romance and reinvention that defines the city itself.
—Madeline Weinfield, Architectural Digest, 11 Sep. 2025
With the exception of Nick Pivetta, their rotation defines uneven performance.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Sep. 2025
The agency defines poverty for a family of four as income below $31,000.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
That’s what defines these paths as careers and not just side hustles or gigs.
—Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 6 Sep. 2025
Prithvi Singh Shergill, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The research defines streaming audiences as anyone who watched at least one online video — free or paid — during the past month.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 Sep. 2025
The choice before the nation is whether to remain locked in this deadly gun violence paradox, where overall crime falls even as extraordinary firearm tragedy defines our public life, or to finally act on what most Americans already believe.
—John J. Donohue, Time, 15 Sep. 2025
The contrasts are part of what defines Sarah LaPonte and chef Nik Forsberg’s daring Nordic-ish restaurant, where anyone can find their niche.
—The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
From grand 19th-century apartments with soaring ceilings to former industrial lofts transformed into artistic havens, Paris’s Airbnb scene reflects the same blend of romance and reinvention that defines the city itself.
—Madeline Weinfield, Architectural Digest, 11 Sep. 2025
With the exception of Nick Pivetta, their rotation defines uneven performance.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Sep. 2025
The agency defines poverty for a family of four as income below $31,000.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
That’s what defines these paths as careers and not just side hustles or gigs.
—Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 6 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defines
Verb
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The program traces a path from Zehetmair’s contemporary turbulence back through the romantic reconciliation of Johannes Brahms’ last orchestral work to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s final symphony.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Narrated by Lily Tomlin and based on Vito Russo’s landmark book, this classic 1995 documentary traces a century of LGBTQ+ representation on screen.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The term describes the conscious decision to avoid or renounce managerial roles in order to preserve mental health, maintain balance and prioritize meaningful work.—
Jose Luis Gonzalez Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The neural pathways that Wolf describes, those deep reading circuits built through sustained attention to text, are the same ones that enable complex reasoning, empathy, and the kind of patient thinking that democracy requires.—
Jessica Ewing
September 15,
Literary Hub,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Davey characterizes the Longbow strategy as flexible.—
James Morris,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The title that has become attached to the painting over time curiously characterizes the Virgin Mary by the fruit, perhaps in recognition of her chastity, especially when considered in the context of Persephone’s myth.—
Demir Alp,
JSTOR Daily,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Each recipe is indicated by a code—O means the Four Roses distillery; B or E indicates the mashbill (B is 35 percent rye, E is 20 percent rye); S means straight whiskey; and the last letter specifies the yeast strain, each of which brings a different flavor profile to the whiskey.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
19 Aug. 2025
-
Ryan Christoffel at 9to5Mac has useful analysis that specifies what happened when in recent years to help specify the release date.—
David Phelan,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
An asthma action plan is a form that outlines what to do when symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, fatigue or abdominal pain occur.—
Rhonda Conner-Warren,
The Conversation,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Based on this experience, this article outlines four strategies for building regional hubs that create sustainable competitive advantages.—
Kevin Cushnie,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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That list also includes a display at the National Museum of the American Latino that White House officials felt inaccurately portrays the Texas revolution as a defense of slavery, not a war of independence from Mexico.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Blythe Danner, who portrays De Niro's onscreen wife Dina in the films, will reprise her role in the new movie, as will Polo, 56.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Specific Solutions The paper delineates specific solutions that collectively could swiftly enhance EU economic growth and international competitiveness.—
Alden Abbott,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
And, without needing to preach, Preparation for the Next Life delineates the limits of immigrants reaching for solidarity from white Americans who may be experiencing their own hardships, but who are never going to be in danger of being deported.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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With technology growing by leaps and bounds every day, more and more tasks can be automated.—
Adam Coffey,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The duo begin a frantic game of hide-and-seek, with the rabbit running from one side of the tree to the other as the fawn bounds after it.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defines. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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