1
as in tracing
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 describing
to mark the limits of
the river defines the town on the south
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in characterizing
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 specifying
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 defining
The Astor family were the defining dynasty of New York's Gilded Age, and that spirit of grandeur and meticulous hosting has traveled with the brand ever since.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2026
Dowd returns to her career-defining role as Aunt Lydia, who is now the leader of the school where Agnes and Daisy are students.
—Alex Cramer, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026
But while the Supreme Court has historically been deferential to presidents on immigration issues, defining who is an American by birth is different, according to longtime immigration law scholar Stephen Yale-Loehr.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
As more brands enter the space, authenticity has become a defining factor in whether initiatives resonate.
—Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 1 Apr. 2026
The administration has sought to downplay any emerging comparisons between Bush’s defining foreign engagement, Iraq, and its actions in Iran.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
But in the real world, over long horizons, resilience behaves much more like the defining property of an ecosystem.
—Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
Cost anxiety has become the defining concern of the application process.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
Strategic voting was a defining feature of the 9th Congressional District race.
—Patrick Hanley, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2026
Dowd returns to her career-defining role as Aunt Lydia, who is now the leader of the school where Agnes and Daisy are students.
—Alex Cramer, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026
But while the Supreme Court has historically been deferential to presidents on immigration issues, defining who is an American by birth is different, according to longtime immigration law scholar Stephen Yale-Loehr.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
As more brands enter the space, authenticity has become a defining factor in whether initiatives resonate.
—Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 1 Apr. 2026
The administration has sought to downplay any emerging comparisons between Bush’s defining foreign engagement, Iraq, and its actions in Iran.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
But in the real world, over long horizons, resilience behaves much more like the defining property of an ecosystem.
—Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
Cost anxiety has become the defining concern of the application process.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
Strategic voting was a defining feature of the 9th Congressional District race.
—Patrick Hanley, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defining
Verb
-
The new center includes two theaters designed for virtual reality programming and a walkthrough exhibit with 11 informative panels tracing the history of the Holocaust — including historic family photographs — and two digital panels on the recent uptick in worldwide antisemitism.—
Lauren Costantino
March 27,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Ray tracing is a 3D rendering technology that simulates the behavior of light to produce realistic reflections and lighting effects.—
Will Greenwald,
PC Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the interview, describing the early moments of her mother’s absence, Guthrie explained the array of terrifying thoughts that occurred to her and to her siblings.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates later designated it a terrorist organization, describing it as a threat to national stability, while Bahrain adopted a similar stance.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The notion of characterizing such a move as anything more than penalizing the public — which is finally balking at more taxation — is nonsense.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Analysts at Mizuho, for example, urged investors not to overreact, characterizing the move as typical profit-taking after a strong rally.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
An Amazon Web Services (AWS) spokesperson said the disruption was ongoing, without specifying the exact location affected or any potential damage done.—
CBS News,
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,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The proposal does not include a summary explaining the purpose of the observance, and no additional details have been published outlining how the dates would be calculated beyond the language in the bill text.—
Sam Stevenson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
-
In her third semester at KISS, Kitty is determined to kick off senior year the right way by setting intentional time with her friends and outlining a list of goals to achieve.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The latter maintains an exuberant push-and-pull between Rushen’s electric piano, bounding with lightness and dexterity, and her classmate Bobby Bryant’s blaring tenor saxophone.—
Matthew Ritchie,
Pitchfork,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Gray will play Lisa, an EMT and partner to the team of lifeguards bounding down Venice Beach.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But his lawyers argued there was more at stake than contract law, portraying the Kennedy Center's suit as an effort to intimidate artists.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
His Tony Award nomination came for portraying George Washington in Hamilton, the role that brought him widespread recognition.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
By banning advertising by legal operators during live sporting events and sharply limiting promotions, the proposal drastically reduces the visibility of the regulated market.—
Cláudia Nunes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The first aimed to curb the falling rupee by limiting currency‑hedging positions that banks can take.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defining. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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