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
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of define
Nate’s strength is defined by methylglyoxal (MGO) and verified through the Unique Manuka Factor certification system in New Zealand.
—
Footwear News, 12 Sep. 2025
That sense of invention has defined his work.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
That philosophy still defines Zambia’s safaris today.
—Daniel Scheffler, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
In those 15 seconds, later described by his teammates, Jones offered a defining line separating the end of 2024 and the onset of 2025 — and the onset of a journey statistically more improbable than defending a Super Bowl title.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for define
Footwear News, 12 Sep. 2025
That sense of invention has defined his work.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
That philosophy still defines Zambia’s safaris today.
—Daniel Scheffler, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
In those 15 seconds, later described by his teammates, Jones offered a defining line separating the end of 2024 and the onset of 2025 — and the onset of a journey statistically more improbable than defending a Super Bowl title.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for define
Recent Examples of Synonyms for define
Verb
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The chaos can be traced back to Macron’s dramatic decision to call a snap poll last year.—
Saskya Vandoorne,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
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The House bill would be eliminating an agency that’s officially been around since 1999 but can trace its roots all the way back to 1968.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But the shift may be broader, as newsrooms both describe a cultural shift and, at least in some cases, embody it.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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The panel studying those cases released a report last year describing how the state child welfare agency missed warning signs and failed to protect dozens of children from dying of the illicit drug.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In an essay published in Vogue, longtime magazine editor Anna Wintour characterized Armani as a steely, dedicated and, above all, innovative force in the fashion industry.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
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In a 69-page ruling, Judge Edward Chen of the Northern District of California characterized the decision of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to end TPS for Haiti and Venezuela as capricious, arbitrary and beyond the scope of her authority.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Google hasn’t specified if there will be an eventual end date.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
12 Sep. 2025
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The 49ers have not specified what exatly happened to these body parts.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As a result of the one-off costs, the company said its now expect full-year operating profit growth of 4% to 10% at constant exchange rates, down from the 10% to 16% outlined in its second-quarter results in August.—
Karen Gilchrist,Katrina Bishop,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
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Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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An effective hair growth solution is less about fancy marketing claims, but formulas rooted in ingredients that can improve hair’s density and fullness while limiting breakage.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
12 Sep. 2025
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The advisory also warned that emergency services in Nepal have limited ability to respond to personal emergencies at the moment.—
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While some Hamas apologists have portrayed the word as benign, its real meaning is undeniably violent — and not just for Israelis.—
Sean Durns,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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Somehow, they’re portrayed as heroic trials of love, requiring sacrifice, trust and resilience.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
11 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
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Trading behemoth Citadel Securities raised its concerns about the potential for regulatory arbitrage if the SEC doesn’t delineate clear rules for companies that want to tokenize assets to follow.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Define.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/define. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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