DEFINED Synonyms: 183 Similar and Opposite Words

defined 1 of 2

adjective

as in restricted

having distinct or certain limits well defined guidelines on the range of activities in which the intelligence agency can engage

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

defined

2 of 2

verb

past tense of define

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

as in bounded

to mark the limits of the river defines the town on the south

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

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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

Verb

Friday defined a good news/bad news day at a West Miami-Dade Sedano’s Supermarket. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026 Such was their shtick throughout their segment of New York Comic-Con’s Star Trek panel, which teased season two of Starfleet Academy before making time for Shatner to thoughtfully look back on the franchise that has defined his career. — Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026 The food site Tasting Table recently looked back at a variety of nostalgic flavors that defined childhoods for many Americans. — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026 But Watling is not the only person to flag a coming correction, generally defined as a 10% to 20% decline in value from a recent peak. — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026 Introduced in 1962, Carlo Riva’s shapely mahogany runabout had become boating’s ultimate status symbol, marrying flawless craftsmanship and twin-V-8 power with styling that defined la dolce vita. — Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026 Familiar attacks, few new answers Much of the debate revolved around vulnerabilities that have already defined the campaign. — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026 Japan This defined my student life, back in 1991 in Leicester. — Liza Lentini, SPIN, 9 Oct. 2026 The character’s clinical authority and fraught romance with intern Meredith Grey, played by Ellen Pompeo, defined much of the drama’s early appeal. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defined

Adjective

Matas Buzelis showed improved urgency and efficiency in putting his head down to get to the rim, scoring 10 of his 14 points inside the restricted area.

— Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
The airline does not allow travelers with pets to sit in exit rows, bulkhead seats, or other seats with restricted underseat storage.

— Sarah Kuta, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of restricted

Verb

Another 23 passengers on the flight and four crew members, who traveled on the same plane from Uganda, were being traced.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
In front of the Acropolis, Rubio traced the development of the West from ancient Greece through Rome, European Christianity and eventually the United States, citing Alexander the Great, Caesar, Charlemagne and Columbus along the way.

— Olivia Gazis, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of traced

Verb

Start with focused use cases where the data requirements are understood and basic (static versus real time), the operational consequence is bounded, and measurable value can be demonstrated.

— Claudio Laterreur, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
The district is bounded to the east by Fair Oaks Boulevard and to the west by San Juan Avenue.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of bounded

Verb

Hey, the boss needs a favor In a November 2025 Reddit post, one person described buying $800 in Target gift cards on their second day at a new job after receiving an email impersonating their boss.

— Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
OpenAI’s report on influence campaigns mounted using its technology also described a cluster of ChatGPT accounts in Russia that were banned after they were used to operate what appeared to be a fake think tank in Latin America.

— Miriam Waldvogel, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of described

Verb

The test will cost somewhere between about $500 (the current Medicare payment for Cologuard, the benchmark specified in the MCED Coverage Act) and $949 (Grail’s current list price).

— H. Gilbert Welch, STAT, 6 Oct. 2026
Head coach Dave Canales has not specified what Legette’s injury is.

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of specified

Adjective

Service in Denver opened this summer, and Telemetry analyst Sam Abuelsamid expects the Detroit service will be available on a limited basis by the end of the year, with the Waymo app opening to the public at large early in 2027.

— Henry Payne, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
Wagner, who only played 14 minutes in the first half, made the most of his limited action with the ball in his hands and dished out seven assists.

— Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of limited

Verb

But when the 17-year-old Russian returns what seems like moments later with a solution to significantly advance the theories outlined in the paper, the professor finds himself with a new research partner.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
In the lengthy message (read it below), Ellison and Co-CEO Ynon Kreiz thanked staffers for their patience during the year-long process, and outlined top priorities for the new company.

— Dade Hayes, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of outlined

Verb

These are demarcated spaces that harbor countless possibilities and contain the infinite, as if in a story by Jorge Luis Borges.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
In a very short time, the story is clearly demarcated, allowing Şerban to focus on character.

— Jay Weissberg, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of demarcated

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define

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definer

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Style

“Defined.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defined. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of defined

adjective

verb

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