1
as in defining
to give the rules about (something) clearly and exactly
the document specifies precisely how you may use the information it contains
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in mentioning
to make reference to or speak about briefly but specifically
police reports didn't specify the model of car the robbers were driving
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of specifying
Entire chapters specifying how nuclear material should be secured and what sorts of physical barriers should be built to protect it have been reduced to bullet points.
—
Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 28 Jan. 2026
Include your name, phone number and email address specifying February Writing Workshop.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Jan. 2026
Putting the murder shortlist in one person’s hands, rather than letting the shields do the work of specifying who can be killed off, is a major change that gives the Secret Traitor a ton of power without a ton of explanation for their thinking.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Jan. 2026
The guidelines include changes to alcohol recommendations, no longer specifying appropriate limits for men and women.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Lygizos isn’t specifying when in 2026 the restaurant will open.
—Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2026
In February, Sudan’s Foreign Minister Ali Youssef had said that his country would allow Russia to build a naval base, without specifying the terms of the deal.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
Even if tariff revenue were allocated to fund the checks, Congress would still need to approve legislation specifying the payments, define eligibility and appropriate funds, The Guardian reported.
—Evan Moore
november 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Nov. 2025
The changes were initiated by the Homeland Security Department, the current official said, without specifying which cities were impacted.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 28 Jan. 2026
Include your name, phone number and email address specifying February Writing Workshop.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Jan. 2026
Putting the murder shortlist in one person’s hands, rather than letting the shields do the work of specifying who can be killed off, is a major change that gives the Secret Traitor a ton of power without a ton of explanation for their thinking.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Jan. 2026
The guidelines include changes to alcohol recommendations, no longer specifying appropriate limits for men and women.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Lygizos isn’t specifying when in 2026 the restaurant will open.
—Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2026
In February, Sudan’s Foreign Minister Ali Youssef had said that his country would allow Russia to build a naval base, without specifying the terms of the deal.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
Even if tariff revenue were allocated to fund the checks, Congress would still need to approve legislation specifying the payments, define eligibility and appropriate funds, The Guardian reported.
—Evan Moore
november 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Nov. 2025
The changes were initiated by the Homeland Security Department, the current official said, without specifying which cities were impacted.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for specifying
Verb
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Period hairstyles also play a significant role in defining the characters of Elvira and Agnes, aka Cinderella, played by Thea Sofie Loch Naess.—
Simon Thompson,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Feb. 2026
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And isn’t that about to become the defining ingredient of all future Hall of Fame voting, sooner than later?—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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While many praised his remarks for uplifting of immigrant communities at a time when they are increasingly being targeted by the federal government, others felt the musician had overlooked the history and experiences of Native Americans and Black Americans by not mentioning them.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
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Of course, no roast of Newsom would be complete without mentioning his pandemic setbacks, including the French Laundry scandal and the recall election.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But in just the past two years, two different telehealth practices have been sanctioned for inappropriately prescribing stimulants.—
Yasmin Tayag,
The Atlantic,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Duties include evaluating inmates’ mental health, creating treatment plans, prescribing medications and providing therapy.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Essential goods strain meager household budgets, with consumers paying around 363 Pakistani rupees for a dozen eggs or 2,186 Pakistan rupees for a kilogram of wheat flour, according to economic data firm CEIC Data, citing 2025 figures from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.—
Sana Noor Haq,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
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Goldman Sachs has initiated research coverage of the miner Energy Fuels with a buy rating, citing the company's exposure to two big themes in the energy industry — uranium and rare earths.—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The difference between counting down the minutes and barely noticing the time often comes down to what’s in your carry-on.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Driving west on Lake Street in Minneapolis, Emily Phillips abruptly stopped talking mid-sentence, noticing a pickup truck with heavily tinted windows.—
Conor Wight,
CBS News,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The motion sought to dismiss the charges with prejudice, indicating they cannot be refiled.—
Nicole Acevedo,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
-
On May 14, 2025, CBP investigators received information from a law enforcement database indicating that Garcia-Vallejo was Wilkinson’s niece, the complaint states.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Already, one in six families are in arrears, Wolfe said, noting the association’s preliminary review shows that household utility debt climbed to roughly $25 billion at the end of last year, up from about $23 billion the prior year.—
Tami Luhby,
CNN Money,
12 Feb. 2026
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But the document also expresses uncertainty about whether the potential defects constitute a crime, noting that elections in Fulton County have already been the subject of multiple reviews.—
Kate Brumback,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Many companies charge an initial investigation or discovery fee before quoting the total cost of resolution services.—
Roxanne Downer,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
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Chopra Jonas sparked twice as much buzz as her titular co-stars based on volume, headlines and quoting intensity.—
Tatiana Siegel,
Variety,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Specifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specifying. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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