as in restricted
having distinct or certain limits
well defined guidelines on the range of activities in which the intelligence agency can engage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in traced
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
2
as in bounded
to mark the limits of
the river defines the town on the south
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in described
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 specified
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of defined
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2026
The first merges Birkenstock’s first-ever sandal, the one-strap Madrid from 1963, featured with the Big Buckle, and is merged with its successor, the Arizona sandal launched in 1973 and defined by the brand’s original square buckles.
—
Stephen Garner,
Footwear News,
28 June 2026
Is it defined by the scrappy, DIY spirit of Derek Jarman in the 1980s, or the New Queer Cinema movement in the 1990s, courtesy of directors like Gregg Araki and Gus Van Sant?
—
Liam Hess,
Vogue,
28 June 2026
Minasian, who was hired after the 2020 season, compiled a 392-500 record during a tenure defined by drama, late-season collapses and chaotic roster turnover.
—
Sam Blum,
New York Times,
27 June 2026
The format is intentionally familiar to fans accustomed to Formula 1 standings, while preserving the individual performances that have always defined action sports.
—
Michelle Bruton,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
Through five innings, the 27-year-old struck out seven batters and gave up seven hits while allowing two runs, continuing to cement himself as Miami’s most consistent pitcher in a season defined by injuries across the pitching staff.
—
Tyler Carmona,
Miami Herald,
21 June 2026
And with each throw, Matt’s own place in the world was defined, little by little.
—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
With his black hat, beard and baritone voice, Waylon defined the rebel, gritty spirit of the country music outlaw movement.
—
Robert Costa,
CBS News,
21 June 2026
Verb
And to be an American is to be embroiled in the great democratic experiment that has been defined by division from the beginning.
—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2026
The first merges Birkenstock’s first-ever sandal, the one-strap Madrid from 1963, featured with the Big Buckle, and is merged with its successor, the Arizona sandal launched in 1973 and defined by the brand’s original square buckles.
—
Stephen Garner,
Footwear News,
28 June 2026
Is it defined by the scrappy, DIY spirit of Derek Jarman in the 1980s, or the New Queer Cinema movement in the 1990s, courtesy of directors like Gregg Araki and Gus Van Sant?
—
Liam Hess,
Vogue,
28 June 2026
Minasian, who was hired after the 2020 season, compiled a 392-500 record during a tenure defined by drama, late-season collapses and chaotic roster turnover.
—
Sam Blum,
New York Times,
27 June 2026
The format is intentionally familiar to fans accustomed to Formula 1 standings, while preserving the individual performances that have always defined action sports.
—
Michelle Bruton,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
Through five innings, the 27-year-old struck out seven batters and gave up seven hits while allowing two runs, continuing to cement himself as Miami’s most consistent pitcher in a season defined by injuries across the pitching staff.
—
Tyler Carmona,
Miami Herald,
21 June 2026
And with each throw, Matt’s own place in the world was defined, little by little.
—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
With his black hat, beard and baritone voice, Waylon defined the rebel, gritty spirit of the country music outlaw movement.
—
Robert Costa,
CBS News,
21 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defined
Adjective
-
Researchers observed signs of fishing pressure within its already restricted range, and some localities where walking sharks were reportedly once common no longer appear to support populations.
-
The first, and most obvious, is the growing sense of an emergent player empowerment era, one in which the line between restricted and unrestricted free agency continues to blur.
Verb
-
The suspect’s escape route was traced, including the journey from France into Italy, and then across several European countries up to her country of residence.
-
But Koppl traced a distinctly American lineage through a chain of precedents dating back more than 50 years, each one further eroding the market discipline that profit-and-loss accountability is supposed to provide.
Verb
-
What The $10 Million Cap Changes At the old $1 million ceiling, operational risk was bounded by the dollar amount.
-
Then after another Algerian wave of pressure, Gouiri tapped in a loose ball after a corner from Anis Hadj Moussa, Mahrez’s replacement after the hydration break in the 76th minute, bounded loosely through the box.
Verb
-
One person, described only as a male, was taken to a hospital in critical condition, according to fire officials.
-
Investigators previously described the suspect as a man, but during a news conference on Friday, prosecutors said Berezovsk was allegedly dressed as a man during the package bomb attack.
Verb
-
But Ginther noted that the way the stars were to be laid out was never specified, which means some of the designs can appear to be curious and compelling.
-
Investigators determined that the first two originated from the same sender, the official told Reuters, though how that conclusion was drawn was not specified.
Adjective
-
The department’s limited release of materials prompted outcry and lawsuits from people saying the department was acting to protect rich and powerful people mentioned in the files.
-
But the Idaho side never found the back of the net again while Knoxville proved lethally efficient with its limited opportunities.
Verb
-
The wide-ranging ordinance outlined how far away data centers can be built from nearby communities, how much noise the centers can emit and what reports property owners must submit to the city.
-
The letter outlined that many food and household products available today would remain, alongside the gas station, while other items and services like clothing, major electronics, the pharmacy and the food court would not be offered.
Verb
-
The land was only officially demarcated as Indigenous territory in 2005.
-
The line there was visible, demarcated by a wide dirt path and small yellow markings.
Cite this Entry
“Defined.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defined. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
