1
as in to depict
to give a representation or account of in words
he tried to describe the dream he had last night as accurately as he could
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to tell
to give an oral or written account of in some detail
a biography of Washington that describes the decisive Battle of Yorktown at great length
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to characterize
to point out the chief quality or qualities of an individual or group
how would you describe the Inupiat people you encountered in Alaska?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of describe
In 2022, scientists at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences recorded two species of stingrays making clicking sounds, which researchers described as a possible warning or distress signal.
—
Christopher Cann, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2025
Relatives at the time described Hussain as a hard-working Pakistani immigrant who took a job as a livery driver to help support his wife and two sons, then ages 1 and 3.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 26 Mar. 2025
The report describes increases in applications, not students, so can be skewed by students applying to a greater number of colleges.
—Scott White, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
Her imagery reflects her deep connection to her Country, the term (with a capital C) used by Indigenous people in Australia to describe not just the land but the water, sky, plants, animals, and even stories, songs, and spirits connected to their area, in this case Alhalker.
—Precious Adesina, ARTnews.com, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for describe
Christopher Cann, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2025
Relatives at the time described Hussain as a hard-working Pakistani immigrant who took a job as a livery driver to help support his wife and two sons, then ages 1 and 3.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 26 Mar. 2025
The report describes increases in applications, not students, so can be skewed by students applying to a greater number of colleges.
—Scott White, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
Her imagery reflects her deep connection to her Country, the term (with a capital C) used by Indigenous people in Australia to describe not just the land but the water, sky, plants, animals, and even stories, songs, and spirits connected to their area, in this case Alhalker.
—Precious Adesina, ARTnews.com, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for describe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for describe
Verb
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Originally attributed to Pieter Pourbus, a Flemish Renaissance artist who worked in Bruges during the 16th century, the painting depicts an austere man and his young daughter in matching ruffs.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
26 Mar. 2025
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No situation depicted that more than Trump and Vance's Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier this month, where the three men got into a shouting match in front of the media over the prospects of a ceasefire deal to end the war in Ukraine.—
Hannah Demissie,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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National Border Patrol Council Vice President Hector Garza told Fox News Digital that these videos on TikTok and other social media outlets are nothing new, but feels that the Trump administration is taking the videos seriously and actively working to secure the border.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
27 Mar. 2025
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People close to the situation have told The Times’ Jack Harris that Betts had the norovirus.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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It’s characterized by new weakening in muscles previously affected by polio, as well as seemingly unaffected muscles.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Mar. 2025
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The official characterized the attacks as an opening salvo against the Houthis and sends a strong message to Iran.—
Luis Martinez,
ABC News,
15 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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Avari also noted that one of the 13 vignettes portrays a standing farmer—the only male figure in the in the piece.—
Karen K. Ho,
ARTnews.com,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Jennifer Ouellette Senior Writer Jennifer is a senior writer at Ars Technica with a particular focus on where science meets culture, covering everything from physics and related interdisciplinary topics to her favorite films and TV series.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
23 Mar. 2025
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Paul Weiss drew Trump’s ire not for anything sports related but largely because of former law firm partner—and former federal prosecutor—Mark Pomerantz.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The lid remains fixed and firm, and Marion’s enthusiasm and zest to achieve has also defined the program in short order.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacramento Bee,
21 Mar. 2025
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Sample said constitutional scholars have differed on what exactly defines a constitutional crisis.—
Ivan Pereira,
ABC News,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Efficiency at what cost? Read: The rise of techno-authoritarianism Careless People illustrates how this ideological vacuum is filled by its leaders’ fleeting whims and governed by their fragile egos.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
22 Mar. 2025
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The tragic case of Kitty Genovese in 1964 famously illustrated this concept, though the case details have been subject to later scrutiny and revision.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Jennifer Wagner of the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities recounted for the subcommittee that one study of SNAP’s improper payments attributed half of them to state officials’ errors.—
Kevin R. Kosar,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
21 Mar. 2025
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The Twister: Caught in the Storm recounts the hours and minutes leading up to the development of the storm on May 22, 2011, from the point of view of different people, including students graduating from Joplin High School and amateur storm chasers.—
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz,
StyleCaster,
20 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Describe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/describe. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.
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