Synonyms for define
dɪˈfaɪnde·fine

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:2.0 / 1 vote

1. define

   Synonyms:
   mark out, limit, designate, specify, eliminate, elucidate, explain, fix, settle, determine, bound

   Antonyms:
   confound, confuse, obscure, mystify, misstate, misconceive, misconstrue, misdefine

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. specify, define, delineate, delimit, delimitateverb

   determine the essential quality of

   Synonyms:
   particularise, qualify, narrow, nail down, describe, outline, demarcate, delineate, pin down, determine, particularize, assign, specify, intend, destine, designate, specialize, limn, delimit, specialise, stipulate, line, subtend, delimitate, draw, limit, trace, set, condition, peg down, fix, narrow down, set apart

2. defineverb

   give a definition for the meaning of a word

   "Define `sadness'"

   Synonyms:
   delimitate, set, delimit, limit, specify, delineate, fix, determine

3. defineverb

   determine the nature of

   "What defines a good wine?"

   Synonyms:
   delimitate, set, delimit, limit, specify, delineate, fix, determine

4. define, delineateverb

   show the form or outline of

   "The tree was clearly defined by the light"; "The camera could define the smallest object"

   Synonyms:
   delimitate, line, set, limn, delimit, outline, limit, trace, describe, specify, delineate, fix, draw, determine

5. specify, set, determine, define, fix, limitverb

   decide upon or fix definitely

   "fix the variables"; "specify the parameters"

   Synonyms:
   specialise, particularise, localize, restore, make, gear up, fructify, doctor, sterilise, coiffure, cook, mend, delimitate, delimit, mold, peg down, put, fixate, regulate, do, unsex, posit, condition, place, learn, fix, countersink, arrange, make up one's mind, desexualise, set up, desexualize, pay back, lay, plant, coif, dress, ready, trammel, localise, ascertain, mark, circumscribe, go under, square up, check, specify, correct, secure, nail down, repair, delineate, particularize, set, position, decide, touch on, find out, see, sic, square off, limit, jell, restrict, prepare, destine, situate, coiffe, find, throttle, deposit, furbish up, get, pose, pin down, influence, typeset, rig, sterilize, qualify, bound, determine, narrow, set apart, desex, narrow down, watch, go down, congeal, intend, assign, confine, fasten, pay off, bushel, stipulate, restrain, shape, settle, lay out, specialize, adjust, designate

Matched Categories

1. • Be
   • Characterize
   • Choose
   • Determine
   • Show

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. defineverb

   Synonyms:
   limit, bound, circumscribe, set bounds to, fix the limits of

2. defineverb

   Synonyms:
   describe, declare the properties of

3. defineverb

   Synonyms:
   explain the meaning of, give the signification of

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "define":

   defining, defined, definition, defines, identify, set, determine, establish, delineate, identifying, définir, specify, articulate, setting, develop, determining

How to pronounce define?

How to say define in sign language?

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

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Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use define in a sentence?

1. William Ruckelshaus:

   When you accept a presidential appointment, you must remind yourself there are lines over which you will not step — lines impossible to define in advance but nevertheless always present, in this case, the line was bright and the decision was simple.

2. Marc Ambinder:

   If the norms and interests of the deep state, however you want to define them, are seen as being threatened by some powerful actor — in this case, the president himself, it is both accurate and kind of scary to notice that people can use secrets to try and stop him. If you oppose Trump, you might be willing to forgive these transgressions because a greater good is served. You might. Or you might wonder what will happen if the U.S. elects a president whom you might support, but who wants to, say, cut off an important mechanism for obtaining secrets used by the NSA or constrain the military’s ability to bomb targets overseas, in the case of Trump, a lot of the leaks seem to be coming from within his own circle. Some obviously come from secret-keepers who are genuinely worried about his mental capacity. Others — who knows? There is no organized conspiracy, but the threshold for disclosing information to people seems to be a lot lower.

3. Bob Goldin:

   There’s a heightened sensitivity among a growing number of consumers about those issues, it’s not necessarily a logical link, but that’s what many consumers define as healthy. The definition of what’s healthy is changing.

4. Pete Buttigieg:

   We've got to remember that we're all more than how we voted in the last election, how you vote in the last election doesn't define you, and this is our opportunity to focus on the future.

5. Thilo Koslowski:

   The best features were always introduced into the highest end vehicles. That is not going to be the best solution for the car industry anymore, younger customers want the latest features immediately, and this will force carmakers to change their offerings, and it will change the way they define premium.