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
Models like OpenAI's Sora and Tencent's Kling defined the standard of fluid motion and detail for video-generation models.
—
Kshitij Dixit, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
The centerpiece of Powell’s legacy Importantly, Powell’s legacy will also be defined by his fight to maintain the Fed’s ability to set interest rates without political interference.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
The discipline and work ethic of her father and the reinvention into the labor market by her mother instilled in her an early awareness that success isn't defined by titles alone.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 11 May 2026
There are few of the giant $50 million-plus action packages that once defined the Marché.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for define
Kshitij Dixit, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
The centerpiece of Powell’s legacy Importantly, Powell’s legacy will also be defined by his fight to maintain the Fed’s ability to set interest rates without political interference.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
The discipline and work ethic of her father and the reinvention into the labor market by her mother instilled in her an early awareness that success isn't defined by titles alone.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 11 May 2026
There are few of the giant $50 million-plus action packages that once defined the Marché.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for define
Recent Examples of Synonyms for define
Verb
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Moore, whose coaching and playing roots trace back to the University of Iowa, is returning to the program decades after first launching a football career that would span generations, multiple Super Bowl runs and some of the game’s greatest quarterbacks.—
Rick Stroud,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 May 2026
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Set across decades at a lakeside property in Brandenburg, the film follows successive inhabitants through the Nazi era, East Germany and reunification, tracing how political systems reshape ordinary lives whether their occupants acknowledge it or not.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
Verb
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Rather than romanticizing the awards-season whirlwind, Coon described the logistical reality behind it that includes 18-hour days, early-morning events, parenting responsibilities and the invisible labor required to sustain a performing career.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
18 May 2026
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The event brought together pastors, fathers, mentors, activists, business leaders, former gang members and residents from across Chicago in what organizers described as a unified effort to promote safety, accountability and opportunity on the South Side.—
Greg Wehner , Anders Hagstrom,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
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In the past couple of decades, however, Czernowin has deëmphasized the frantic gesturing that characterizes so much latter-day modernism.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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On March 23, 20 states and the District of Columbia sued the USDA to block the new terms for receiving federal funding, which the states characterized as coercive.—
Chiara Eisner,
NPR,
17 May 2026
Verb
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Wahl did not specify the threats connected to the teens.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2026
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The cake labels did not specify the style of frosting.—
Eva Flowe
May 18,
Charlotte Observer,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Asked about those concerns, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, said the legislation is needed, adding the bill outlines helpful and harmful AI applications simultaneously.—
P.R. Lockhart,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
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On April 14, the federal government outlined plans to boost pay by 25% for government firefighters who work on prescribed burns.—
Chiara Eisner,
NPR,
17 May 2026
Verb
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Yet expectations for the summit’s outcomes are muted, with both leaders facing setbacks at home and abroad that may limit their room to maneuver.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
13 May 2026
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But the internal federal documents indicate the base's capacity to hold immigration detainees is limited to roughly 400 beds.—
Camilo Montoya-Galvez,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
Verb
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As the normies, Teller and his naive wife, portrayed by Scarlett Johansson, feel like kids playing dress-up.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2026
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That means seducing Paris Carver, Elliot's wife and Bond's ex, portrayed by Teri Hatcher.—
John Russell,
PEOPLE,
19 May 2026
Verb
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The chiles delineate culinary borders.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
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In this project by Goesling Group, the kitchen and living space are directly against each other, and different cabinet types help to delineate those spaces even if there’s not much wiggle room between the two.—
Rachel Davies,
Architectural Digest,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Define.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/define. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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