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
Ben Smith, semafor.com, 23 Mar. 2026
But the rupture may be felt most deeply in Mayfair, a neighborhood long defined by both neglect and resilience.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026
That may mean a better quality of life as defined by a more walkable community, access to attractions like the outdoors or cultural events, fresh food, or other perks.
—Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 22 Mar. 2026
The current action is more of an incursion, which is typically defined as a short invasion or attack, primarily for military purposes.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
Since 1959, when Fidel Castro seized power, Cubans on the island have endured navigating a system defined by scarcity, surveillance and state control.
—Isabel Rosales, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
When one became Detective Sonny Crockett’s ride in the third season of Miami Vice, it was instantly transformed into the car that defined its decade.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 21 Mar. 2026
Florida’s performance against Prairie View was the kind of drubbing that defined their last-season surge and eluded them in last year’s national title run.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
Typically, however, it can be defined as one that, for any number of reasons, results in problematic functioning.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
Now Russia and Ukraine are deep in a future defined by access to Starlink’s satellite communications and the two sides’ ability to produce and combat cheap drones.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 23 Mar. 2026
But the rupture may be felt most deeply in Mayfair, a neighborhood long defined by both neglect and resilience.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026
That may mean a better quality of life as defined by a more walkable community, access to attractions like the outdoors or cultural events, fresh food, or other perks.
—Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 22 Mar. 2026
The current action is more of an incursion, which is typically defined as a short invasion or attack, primarily for military purposes.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
Since 1959, when Fidel Castro seized power, Cubans on the island have endured navigating a system defined by scarcity, surveillance and state control.
—Isabel Rosales, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
When one became Detective Sonny Crockett’s ride in the third season of Miami Vice, it was instantly transformed into the car that defined its decade.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 21 Mar. 2026
Florida’s performance against Prairie View was the kind of drubbing that defined their last-season surge and eluded them in last year’s national title run.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
Typically, however, it can be defined as one that, for any number of reasons, results in problematic functioning.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 15 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defined
Adjective
-
Again this year, visitors are contending with a somewhat restricted blossom appreciation area at the Tidal Basin, home to the highest concentration of the trees.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Actions such as hostilities toward staff or other residents, bringing items to meetings that can be used as weapons, or showing unusual interest in restricted areas should also raise red flags.—
Evonne Andris,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Soon after, the weapon used is traced back to Sverre Olsen (Arthur Hakalahti), a young arms dealer operating in a downtown warehouse populated by the city’s underworld and, according to the 70 percent assurance of face recognition expert Beate (Ellen Helinder), a familiar presence within the force.—
Jon O'Brien,
IndieWire,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The five bullets found in Ordoñez’s body during an autopsy traced back to the guns of Lee, Santiesteban, Mateo and Mirabal, according to a Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation report released in August 2024.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Pedicabs may not stage or operate in the area bounded by Grace Street, Newport Avenue, Halsted Street, and Racine Avenue.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
But also look at where Pelle Larsson was on that final play, raising his hands as if in victory when Durant’s shot bounded off the rim, instead of remaining in chase mode.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Following a trial described by international observers as a kangaroo court, they were sentenced to death on October 31, 1995.—
Noo Saro-Wiwa,
The Dial,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Buchsbaum described a mid-20th-century American Jewish landscape in which nearly every community had kosher butchers and caterers because even many non-Orthodox families expected bar mitzvahs, weddings and other celebrations to be kosher.—
Asaf Elia-Shalev,
Sun Sentinel,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The letter specified some examples of how religious expression in public schools should be treated the same as secular expression.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
21 Mar. 2026
-
No back orders, unless specified by the individual vendor.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
There are limited options to tap into fuel reserves in Cuba, which are tightly controlled by the government.—
MATTHEW LEE,
Arkansas Online,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Beneficiaries are people with limited income who are either blind, aged 65 and older, or have a qualifying disability.—
Asher Notheis,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
One of those stations in Los Angeles Fire Department Station Five, where Battalion Chief Lance McCloskey outlined the process behind their emergency operations.—
Nicole Comstock,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
-
And in Houston, George Bush Intercontinental outlined screening times between two and a half and four hours at its two checkpoints that remained open.—
Wyatte Grantham-Philips,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The cemetery was a communal space, yet each fence demarcated a private domain—my nature, my virtues, my gait, my mood.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Voyager 1 is nestled in the space demarcated by that stellar pyramid.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
19 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defined.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defined. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
