1
as in depicts
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 tells
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 characterizes
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 describes
Frankenstein is nominated for nine Oscars, the bulk of which highlight its decadent design, all rooted in the kind of deep, immersive research that Deverell describes.
—
David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 10 Feb. 2026
In a Federal Communications Commission application, SpaceX describes how the centers would transmit the data via optical, or laser, signals to the Starlink network for transmission to the ground while the entire system is in a low orbit roughly 300 miles to 1,200 miles above Earth.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Tahj Merriex, the choir’s president and a graduating senior, describes participation as an act of representation.
—Jonel Juste, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
How that describes Schlossberg, a 33-year-old social-media personality, is difficult to understand.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
But recent reporting describes ICE asserting broader authority through internal guidance.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
The report describes the auditorium as having staircases running up both sides with entrances at the top and bottom of the room.
—Ashley Carnahan, FOXNews.com, 9 Feb. 2026
This newfound flexibility in the fragrance category feels especially resonant at a moment when, as Lim describes, the era of committing to a single signature fragrance has given way to a more fluid approach—one defined by choice and context.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2026
Pickrum describes using a consistent leadership framework.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 10 Feb. 2026
In a Federal Communications Commission application, SpaceX describes how the centers would transmit the data via optical, or laser, signals to the Starlink network for transmission to the ground while the entire system is in a low orbit roughly 300 miles to 1,200 miles above Earth.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Tahj Merriex, the choir’s president and a graduating senior, describes participation as an act of representation.
—Jonel Juste, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
How that describes Schlossberg, a 33-year-old social-media personality, is difficult to understand.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
But recent reporting describes ICE asserting broader authority through internal guidance.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
The report describes the auditorium as having staircases running up both sides with entrances at the top and bottom of the room.
—Ashley Carnahan, FOXNews.com, 9 Feb. 2026
This newfound flexibility in the fragrance category feels especially resonant at a moment when, as Lim describes, the era of committing to a single signature fragrance has given way to a more fluid approach—one defined by choice and context.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2026
Pickrum describes using a consistent leadership framework.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for describes
Verb
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The cover, designed by Bravo student Adrian Lopez, depicts a tree wrapping around the spine.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Directed by Brett Ratner, Melania depicts the First Lady’s life in the 20 days before his re-election.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Set in the remote highlands of Montenegro, the film tells the story of a shepherd mother and her daughter who proudly defend their ancestral mountain from the threat of becoming a NATO military training ground, stirring memories of past violence that once shattered their family.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Build a balanced plate Agusala recommends slowing down when eating and paying attention to when your brain tells you to stop.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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What is a greater hit against a presidential administration that characterizes itself as the party of family values than marrying two people in love on stage?—
Taylor Crumpton,
Time,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The author argues this economic leverage represents the only meaningful way to hold the country accountable for what the author characterizes as federal overreach.—
Carlos De Loera,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Famine report portrays a grim picture In recent months, Kordofan has become a flashpoint in the war and the army managed to break the RSF siege of two major cities in the region earlier this year.—
Samy Magdy,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
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Famine report portrays a grim picture In recent months, Kordofan has become a tinderbox in the war, and the army managed to break the RSF siege of two major cities in the region earlier this year.—
Samy Magdy,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As a trans trainer at a previous gym, Koch recounts some uncomfortable moments surrounding his pronoun use.—
Maddie Connors,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
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Though Proust is never mentioned, the French author’s own words even appear almost unaltered when McGahern recounts his youthful absorption in books.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The legislation defines crimes such as bank robberies and the use of violence to dominate territories or economic activities, with sentences reaching up to 66 years.—
Evandro Cruz Silva,
The Dial,
10 Feb. 2026
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That calculation, Israeli analysts say, defines the red line.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The situation illustrates how decades after the devastating 1990s wars in the former Yugoslavia, the region lags behind the rest of Europe both economically and with regard to environmental protection.—
Eldar Emric,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Altman’s frustration perfectly illustrates how AI companies have driven themselves into a corner.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But the story Sorkin relates is really all about the insiders, their privileged lives, their thoughts and actions.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
11 Jan. 2026
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Meanwhile, the omniscient, just-the-facts-ma’am narration relates the days and times and events with an efficiency that speaks to us of the unstoppable nature of fate.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
31 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Describes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/describes. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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